Grostenquin France

The Francois Family – September 1954

The Francois family, from whom we rented in Guessling, and who became like family to us. From left to right: Mme. Welch (the mother-in-law), Mme. Francois, M Francois, Marcel (the daughter-in-law) and her husband Rene Francois, Emile Francois. M Francois was my closest "playmate" for many months! He'd be out in the field, filling up burlap sacks with potatoes in the afternoons when I was home from school on the station. I loved to go out and join him. My favourite game was knocking over the sacks so that the potatoes spilled everywhere. He'd laugh and laugh (unless I did it too often). He taught me to speak French and to tie my shoes - both of which abilities I have managed to retain. My youngest sister, Margo, who was born 3 months after our return to Canada does not have such fond memories of M Francois. Unfortunately when he offered her a rabbit on our nostalgic visit back in 1963, she thought she was getting a pet and burst into tears when he made it clear it would only take a short time to kill and clean it for us to take back to Zweibrucken for a future dinner! I remember when we made our surprise visit to Guessling in the fall of 1963, how the Francois cried - and my mom and dad weren't much more subdued. These people went out of their way to welcome us to their country, their village, their home in 1954, as many French families did.