When my older sister, Karen, returned from her autumn visit to France, one of the things she brought back with her was a French phrase that she said encapsulated the importance of life by offering a toast to death. In her words, “One day closer to death!” She explained that it sounded much more eloquent when spoken in French. Naturally, I smiled, because the French have a way of making almost everything more eloquent.
Quite by accident I began to use the phrase when someone would ask me, “How are you?” With great joviality, I would reply, “One day closer to death!” and it always made me laugh.
More recently, contemplating both the seriousness of death and the humor of attempting to live a good life only to turn up dead in the end, made me sit with the words in meditation, as well as repeat them in the dark hours of the night when I could not sleep due to a respiratory malady brought on by skyrocketing levels of pollen in the hill country air. Somehow, the very words that ought to have made me more frightened brought me, instead, a calming sensation that made it easier to breathe and rest.
This morning, feeling cooped-up by my own self-imposed “house arrest” and being chained to the air purifiers droning, the silk mask wearing, the essential oil anointing, the burning sage purifying, the diffuser dispersing Thieves™, I sent my husband off alone to go for breakfast at La Hacienda. I would not be able to go along, or savor my ordinary walk across town and over the river bridge. Still, I had windows through which to look out at the crystalline blue sky, puffy white clouds, sparrows twittering and fluffing feathers at the birdbath, the bright red berries abundant on the Nandina bush…AND, I reminded myself, many hours in which to read, write, rest, and continue to contemplate.
Curious, I Googled, “French Toast,” and…well…you know what I got, right? Recipes! Then I tried searching for various words in the phrase, both in English and in French, which took me to all kinds of internet memes and song lyrics. Finally, I found something that seemed close enough to the words my sister Karen brought back with her. Here they are, in both languages. May they assist you on your incredible way!
Chaque pas que vous faites est un pas qui vous rapproche de la mort.
Each step you take is a step that brings you closer to death.
~LJ