If Omicron darkens the end of the year in Quebec and around the world, 2021 has reserved a clearer picture for us. To give some comfort, The duty delves into this series on moments or habits that we have been able to live or rediscover. First memory: intergenerational relations, which have sometimes been strengthened this year.
When Viviane Arsenault, Daniel Bizier and their three grandchildren knew they couldn’t see each other for Christmas, they almost all burst into tears.
“We had our legs sawn off,” recalls M.me Arsenault, during an interview by Zoom with Flavie, Charles-Hugo and Mathis. As their father had just contracted COVID-19, the holiday plans had just gone downhill.
Despite everything, 2021 has been a good year for the little family. Better, in any case, than 2020. From September 2020 to June 2021, the grandfather was fragile due to treatment for prostate cancer. They therefore had to avoid any contact in person, even when their daughter, Marie-Pierre, had surgery on both hips. The only exception was in December 2020, when they exchanged gifts in the parking lot of the Madrid 2.0 rest area, which is on the way between their two homes.
“The little ones gave me tremendous support during that period,” said Mr. Bizier, who is much better today. They drew me pictures, we were able to communicate together on FaceTime. They took it to heart and it encouraged me. “
Last summer, grandparents, parents and children were finally able to do things together again: playing badminton, doing painting workshops, eating pancakes, spending a vacation in the Gaspé.
“I like to paint with grandma, I love when my grandpa tells me funny stories and also when we go for a walk in the field in the back, reports Flavie, 11 years old. They really listen when you need them, they are really generous. “
“Grandpa is Spiderman,” assures 6-year-old Mathis. He tells me all the time that his disguise is downstairs, but he doesn’t want to show it to me, because he’s too embarrassed. “
The first year boy then shows off a face he has just drawn on paper. “Is this your last?” He is handsome ! I collect all your drawings, me ”, exclaims Mr.me Arsenault, who considers these children the most important people in his life.
These privileged moments were a balm on the wounds caused by the pandemic and will help the small united family to tolerate the confinement recently decreed.
Mme Arsenault is well aware that not all grandparents are so lucky. She herself had to take legal steps to gain access to her other grandson, since her son cut ties with them. She is involved in the Association des grands-parents du Québec in order to support those who are unwillingly estranged from their descendants.
Hugs on the legs
Lucie Gougeon went to pick up her grandchildren, 5-year-old twins, at 10 a.m. on December 25. “They asked me to eat lasagna,” she says, laughing.
At the end of the day, she then brought them back to the foster home where they have been living since August.
“The DPJ [direction de la protection de la jeunesse] want me to be there for the children. The worker says they need me in their life, as a calm and reliable person. I do what I can. I see them once a month, ”says the 65-year-old grandmother.
The past two years have not been a long smooth ride. While she kept them regularly, Mme Gougeon had to stop seeing them at the start of the pandemic, except by video conference and through windows. Until she is vaccinated.
“My ex-daughter-in-law asked me to go babysit. I had my first dose in April. I kept my mask inside. The children were well informed and they knew there was a virus. They were like, “Granny, we can’t give you hugs, do we?” I said no, and they respected that, ”says the one who works at the reception of a retirement home.
Now the grandmother allows the children to cuddle her on the legs. Not in the arms.
“These children, I adore them, it’s my joy of living. We love our children, but I think we love our grandchildren even more, ”admits Mme Gougeon.
She bought tickets for Disney on Ice’s planned March show, which they had loved so much before the pandemic. Faced with the uncertainty about the resumption of shows, she has not yet dared to speak to them, for fear that their expectations will be disappointed.
” You should take advantage “
Funny, creative, good at cooking… Romeo does not lack good words to portray his grandmother, the actress Marie-Josée Longchamps.
“It’s important for me to spend time with her. You don’t have all your life to do it, so you have to take advantage of it, ”philosopher the 11-year-old boy, sitting next to his grandmother.
The latter is visibly moved. “It’s profound what he just said. The pandemic shows us that we do not have our whole life to appreciate the present moment “, says the dynamic septuagenarian Montreal, who describes her grandson as” a wonder “.
These children, I adore them, it is my joy of living. We love our children, but I think we love our grandchildren even more
This December 23, Mme Longchamps was able to benefit from the sweetness of his rich family. Her three children and five grandchildren have been gathered around one table for the first time in a long time.
“It’s mostly being together, playing cards and having dinner. In simplicity and love ”, reports the one who was able to observe the evolution of her grandchildren, some of whom are now young adults.
These intergenerational bonds, woven from their birth, are far from being lost during the pandemic, despite the restrictions that have made life difficult for them.