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| Giovanni Boldini, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons |
The Children’s Chase
“Pepette!”, the elderly, heavily-accented voice crescendoed into a high-pitched scream as her Italian greyhound bolted out of her apartment door, and rapidly “clicked” down the outdoor staircase towards freedom. Once the scream was heard, across the courtyard, three children’s voices wearing three pairs of leather bottomed shoes “clomped" down the opposite staircase in pursuit. The “chase” was on!
Pepette would excitedly showcase her natural agility, as the children trying to catch her would end up running around the apartment building several times. After her pent-up energy was released, Pepette would slowly jog back up the stairs to her owner’s apartment. The children would also return home, elated, but exhausted.
My Marketing Partner and French Language Teacher
Early on, driving to pick up groceries, I spotted an elderly woman pulling a small shopping cart going in the same direction on foot. Pulling off the road to the side, I stopped and offered her a ride. She happily agreed.
From then on, she became my faithful Marketing partner; accompanying me on grocery runs.
As our friendship grew, she explained that she was originally from Normandy, FRANCE. She was a French Language teacher, and Fashion Clothes Designer before immigrating to the United States.
She asked if she could teach her native language to my children.
Along with hearing the three “B”s (BACH, BEETHOVEN, and BRAHMS) from birth, as well as being exposed to multilingual, multicultural maternal and paternal grandparents, my children’s ears were naturally attuned to the musicality of the French language. Pleased with their progress, she would often showcase their lingual prowess to her many friends who would visit often.
Epilogue
In the course of time, as adults, my children chose to pursue their higher educations in Europe. They assimilated easily, and successful navigated European culture.
I dedicate this Blog post in memory of Madame Madeleine CASSIO - Designer, Language Teacher, and dearly Beloved friend.
