I was going to do a mini review of the Audrey Tautou farce Beautiful Lies tonight, after all any movie with her in it, is always worth a visit to the cinema for me.
As it turned out Beautiful Lies is not a good movie, but Tautou, with her big brown French eyes and unwavering ability to cry believably, gave it her all, and I enjoyed it, basically because she was in it!
Films have always given me pleasure, for me, they are an easy fix to all the ills of this world and you know what, I am damm grateful for their never-ending ability to bring a smile to my face.
I visited my brother today.. it wasn't an easy visit
Mentally he is in a very dark, depressed place at the moment ; a place that normal chit chat, platitudes and socializing cannot reach him. He obtains little pleasure from day to day things and it breaks my heart to see him stare away into the middle distance when you try and engage him with the banality of everyday news.
He has lost the ability to take pleasure from things.
Motor Neurone disease is a bastard .
Briefly I saw him smile... just the once... it was when I put Meg on his bed and she sniffed and prodded him and his noisy suction machine with the gentle curiosity typical of a nervous Welsh Terrier.
His smile was like water in a desert.
John
ReplyDeleteChin up
Jane xx
Pets can give such comfort.
ReplyDeleteYour last sentence was so beautiful.
Very sad for you John and I do sympathise, but how lovely for your brother was his reaction to your dog. By coincidence I today learned about 'Dogs for the Disabled' charity and was so moved by the account of their work that I posted a link to them on my blog and Facebook page. Maybe your brother could benefit if there is a nearby branch?
ReplyDeleteBTW I wouldn't want to live the life of some films I have seen!
elegance
ReplyDeleteI wish the panacea of his ills was as simple as pet therapy
thank you for your kind words
x
I have so many good memories of Amélie Poulin. It was, I think, the last time I went to the movies!
ReplyDeleteHave you ever try to just sit with your brother and "stare away into the middle distance" without trying to engage conversation with him?
Simply be there.
With him.
Silently.
Words are not the only way we communicate with one another.
Maybe your brother IS trying to communicate with you and feels as sad as you because you don't respond to HIS language! Think that, from his point of view, we're the ill ones!
Hugs
Jon
jon
ReplyDeleteI wish that it was all so easy
thank you
x
Firstly, if you included shots of Audrey Tatou being slapped in your bitch-slap clips, then I would sign up in a flash. I've always wanted to wipe the precocious-little-girl smile off her face, but not using physical violence, you understand.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry about your Bro - it must be awful for everyone involved, and moments of lightness must be few. Good that you and Meg provided one of them today.
thank you tom.... I will ignore your nastiness to mz Audrey seeing that you have been so sweet
ReplyDeletex
John I'm so sorry your brother is in a bad place right now...I'm sure even though he appears to be "elsewhere" he is aware that people are trying to help and appreciates it. Thank goodness for the wee doggie.
ReplyDelete((((hug)))) sometimes there is just nothing a person can say. A hug will have to do.
ReplyDeleteJohn, In my hospice work familes would often say to us "I wish he wouldn't give up" when referring to those they loved that were slipping away. We tried to get them to think of it more as a "giving in" to the disease. But when its happening to someone you love all platitudes really are just all shit. I wish you strength friend and I will pray for all kinds of comfort for your brother
ReplyDelete:::hugs::: Your pain is palpable. I'm glad you both have Meg.
ReplyDeletexo linda
I'm holding your fragile heart in my two hands my friend. I love your Meg..
ReplyDeleteWhen Mama got to that point, I like to think that she was contemplating angels, with uncle H, I like to think he was trying to see the genius of a speck of floating dust.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard crap to go through John, for him and all the family.
My love to you all.
Oh John, I'm so sorry.
ReplyDeleteMeg is a good girl.
So terribly sad.
ReplyDeleteI'll keep your family in my prayers.
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ReplyDeleteJohn- Sorry to hear of your brothers situation. we have so many things happening in our lives that we dont have the time to focus on one thing for long, your brother on the other hand has so much time to focus on just one thing that it is inevitable that he will become completely absorbed in that one thing....for good or bad, its just how we are.
ReplyDeleteThe human mind craves something new, a visit to break the routine may not have immediate effect but you can be assured that this is something he will remember and appreciate. Nothing is wasted.
Chin up bud.
I wish I looked like Audrey Tatou.
ReplyDeleteIt is so hard for you all at the moment, but I'm sure Andrew takes some comfort from you being around him. xxxxxxxx
If only.
ReplyDeletex
MND is a bastard John, having read yours and Janets posts on the disease it must be awful for your Bro and for the family too.
ReplyDeleteHe has the best help he could have with you and your Sis helping him out and caring for him (and Meg of course).
You must both sometimes feel as though you're banging your head against a wall but I'm sure you're having a very positive impact when you visit.
Animals are such innocent spirits, they are instinctively comforting. I am sad that you and your family are going through this, your Brother must struggle to stay cheerful. How brave he is.
ReplyDeleteI can only say strength to you and your brother and all who care for him ... and Arohanui.
ReplyDeleteMND is such a cruel illness. Just be there for your brother he may not appear to appreciate it but none of us knows what goes on in someone head.
ReplyDeleteWell done Meg for that glimmer of the man John used to be.
What a delight this blog is so glad I stumbled on it.I will become a follower.
I invite you to mine.
Yes, I watch movies now at home on DVD, but I remember the fun I had going to the movies. A movie always seems much improved when watched in a theater.
ReplyDeleteI don't really have a clue of the heartache you are suffering, John, but I do understand how that smile touched you.
For my money, Audrey Tautou should take a look at the career of Audrey Hepburn and recognise that being doe-like doesn't have to mean being twee - which the legendary Audrey certainly never was (see The Nun's Story for a brilliant portrayal of a very real person struggling to conform to an image).
ReplyDeleteAnd I have to be say that she doesn't register in the gallery of great French legends - Deneuve, Arletty, Adjani, Hupert, Mieu Mieu, Audran, Darrieux, Ardant, Cottilard, Beart et al.
Her deadeningly winsome charm , for instance, couldn't save the disaster that was The Da Vinci Code!
You know John when people reach the state that your brother has, it is a world unto itself. It looks dreadful from our vantage point. I believe it is a process necessary to go through. It doesn't make it easy for the observers. Animals can help as you know.
ReplyDeleteAs you know, my sister has had MND for nine years, but unlike your brother she stills finds a lot of pleasure in life and is always remarkably stoical about her situation. What her secret is, I don't know, but I'm sorry your brother is more prone to depression and despondency. It's a horrible disease, that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteNo words John, just a big hug.
ReplyDeleteJane x
xo
ReplyDeleteJohn, i have no words; it is so damnably difficult to watch loved ones suffer and be completely unable to fix the situation or help in any tangible way. I'm sorry all of you are enduring this, and good on Meg for giving Andrew a chance to smile.
ReplyDeleteHugs to you,
megan
Heartbreaking. I'm so sorry you and your family have to endure this terrible disease with your brother. But bless you for being there for him.
ReplyDeleteJohn,
ReplyDeleteSounds like it was a rough day. Sorry to read it. Not much we can do with rough days, other than to just get thru them.
Farmer
It is so hard to watch those we love in states where we can't really reach them. My family is affected by bi-poloar depression and also dementia, and they have both been heart-wrenching at times.
ReplyDeleteThinking of you.
I'm sorry to read that your Brother is going through a rough time right now John. I know this is hard on all of you...not just the patient. Thank goodness for the movies. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteMaura X
I always thought it was the hardest thing of all, to just stand by and bear witness. It sounds like Andrew is still engaged in a fierce battle with the disease. Artists are so often rebellious.
ReplyDeleteThank god for the reprieve of great cinema, I totally agree!
Dxxx