A rare photo of the two of us taken by Maureen, who was with us on the French La Vie this past week.
A weeklong brocante trial ended today.
The group, Maureen, Anne, Karla, and Sandra, is one of the best groups ever;
Generous, easy-going, passionate, and very understanding.
On the second day of our excursion, one of the guests said that her throat was itchy,
and she felt like she was getting a cold.
We immediately put on masks.
All of us had taken a Covid test before we started our journey.
During the French la Vie, we spend most of our time together,
riding to and fro antique shops and brocantes, visiting private homes, partaking in meals and late-night conversations.
Close-knit.
So, if one person isn't feeling well, it impacts the group.
The four women on this particular trip did not know each other.
The following day, each of us took a COVID test. The one with the scratchy throat tested positive.
There was a silent hush.
The one with COVID was sequestered to her room, and the bathroom she would use became off-limits to the rest of us.
I contacted the places we had visited and where we planned to visit, explaining the situation,
some private places that were outside did not mind our coming.
We donned masks and continued on our way.
A massive change of plan ensued, but we managed to have a good day.
Our friend back home felt like she had a big cold, but nothing more.
A collective decision was made. Each day, we would take COVID tests, gel hands, and wear masks throughout the trip, whether indoors or outdoors, only taking our masks off to have meals; we would sit far apart if outside or indoors, not in the same room. Meals were complicated, but safety was our focus.
The next day, another woman contacted COVID.
The two were on the same floor in our home; they stayed in their rooms, and I left food and supplies by their doors.
They both had online doctor visits, and medication was prescribed.
Masked and covid free, the rest of us ventured out to an open market and curtailed other plans.
While we were out, we received a phone call that one of the guests at my home, who seemed mildly affected when we left, had taken a turn for the worse and was taken to the hospital by ambulance.
We returned home.
I canceled The French la Vie.
The two in the group who did not have COVID decided to return home immediately.
They were delighted with the few days we shared, sad to know their newfound friends had COVID, and disappointed not to continue as we planned, but completely understood the situation and did not blame anyone.
It was agreed that the sane group should do this again; we had an immediate bond.
The one in the hospital was stable and doing well. She would leave and stay at a hotel where her daughter came to be with her.
The other two who left were COVID-negative.
The other person remained in her room until yesterday when she had no symptoms.
She spent the afternoon outside in the healing sunshine, and we took the boat for a ride.
She left today.
It has been an unusual French La Vie.
Thankfully, it was a bunch of genuinely considerate and gracious women. Who supported one another and took each moment, crowning them with compassion.
They said, “One day on a French La Vie is worth an entire week! Nothing compares to the good time we spent even though cut short.”
Isn't that the best compliment?
Nevertheless, it had been an emotional holdback. Now that everyone is safe and no longer with me, I can let my guard down.
I am grateful knowing it could have been worse. I am thankful for their well-being. I will sleep well after I clean my home.
Life is one helluva ride.
Amazingly, even though I am a compromised person, I did not catch COVID as it starred me in the face.
I pray I am out of its way.
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