Re: The Heatwave; Europe, and it's implications...

Mary Huyck, a specialist in care for the elderly, says:
"You are absolutely correct in your assessment of the situation in France vis a vis the elderly and the horribly hot weather. The middle aged children should have called and checked in on their parents. We had lunch this past weekend with some wonderful French friends of ours who live in the neighborhood. Jean-Paul, our neighbor, said that every day during the heat wave, he telephoned his ex-mother in law from Connecticut to France.

Now, he happens to be a physician and was able to assess her mental state. They would talk for awhile, and he listened to hear how she was doing. Day after day, she seemed fine and as ever. Then one day he called, and she sounded loopy -- not at all her usual self. Concerned, he telephoned his ex-wife and gave her his assessment and urged that she go immediately to see her mother. She did so, found that the elderly lady was as Jean-Paul had said, and brought in the necessary support to help her mother regain her strength. I really believe that Jean-Paul saved the woman's life".

RH:
Such concern for an ex-mother in law in France from an ex-son in law in the US is indeed worthy of special commendation.