the sabbatical logs

​Before returning to Sicily, I interviewed Monique.
 
Monique 82 years old, born Paris, France, currently lives in Valbonne, France
 
Monique was graceful and soft-spoken.  She too was a bit anxious and believed she wouldn’t have much to tell yet as the interview went on she remembered snip-its of experiences with clarity and humor.  She spoke in French and my friend Stephanie directed the interview—Stephanie will also be translating the interview.  I watched her speak to her grandmother and could see her eyes brighten or her voice change in accordance to her grandmother’s story.  I watch Monique and I too see her eyes widen with a memory the tone of her voice change as she remembered.  Monique would laugh at times and her laughter was refined and graceful as her speech.  I was lost in her words not solely for the reason I do not speak French but in some way I understood her—I learned just by listening to her body language and tone of voice.  I learned by watching her granddaughter, Stephanie’s reaction to her grandmother’s words.  As I sat in this interview, I wished I had known French.  It motivates me to learn it.  I look forward to hearing Monique’s story in translation.