March 8th, 2026

7 March will remain a special date in our family. On that day my mother celebrated her 95th birthday and, in a way, became the doyenne of the family. An honourable title …

The day, however, began on a rather grey note. According to her neighbours, she had woken up in low spirits. The effects of age do sometimes make themselves felt: arthritis in the knees, hip or shoulder can turn even simple everyday movements into a real challenge. At 95, the body quite naturally tends to negotiate each movement a little.

Yet, as so often happens, the day soon took a very different turn. Birthday messages began arriving one after another. Neighbours stopped by, each with flowers, a kind word or simply a few minutes of their time. These small gestures felt like the first ray of sunshine.

For my part, the day began somewhat differently. I took the car to pick up Deniz at the station. With my left foot in plaster, driving is still possible, let us just say it adds a small extra level of difficulty. We then went to collect a birthday cake and a beautiful floral arrangement before heading to my mother’s place.

When I arrived, she was indeed not yet in a particularly festive mood. But the plan for the day included a trip to Murten, where I had reserved a table at the restaurant Le Bateau. And sometimes a good meal, surrounded by people who care about you, is enough to put the world back into balance.

Lunch turned into a small culinary journey. We began with an amuse-bouche, followed by octopus served on a bed of artichokes. Then came a celery consommé with prawns. The main courses were equally delightful: roasted quail, pike-perch with caper sauce, and finally a chocolate moelleux. All of this was accompanied by wines from the Vully region overlooking Lake Murten.

As the meal progressed, the atmosphere noticeably changed. The pain faded into the background and the smiles returned. My mother truly enjoyed the moment, good food can sometimes have almost therapeutic qualities.

Around the table were Erika and Urs, neighbours who look after her with great dedication and empathy. A heartfelt thank you to both of you for your presence, your kindness and everything you do with such generosity. Deniz was also part of the small gathering. Later, my cousin Peter and his wife Jeanine joined us for dessert.

At that moment Deniz revealed his surprise: a cake decorated with candles. We enthusiastically sang “Happy Birthday”, perhaps not perfectly in tune, but very sincere. At 95, one no longer counts the candles; one celebrates the light.

In the end, it was a truly lovely day. It gave her what matters most: companionship, laughter and moments of shared joy.

For my part, the week was also marked by a medical appointment. On Thursday I saw the wound specialist. The small opening in the scar is continuing to heal, slowly but steadily. After the pump had been removed a few days earlier, she decided to put it back in place to help speed up the healing process.

I will therefore wear it until next Thursday. On that day I have another appointment at the orthopaedic centre: an X-ray, a check of the wound and a consultation with the surgeon, Professor Krause. We should then determine how long I will still need to wear the cast and what the next phase of recovery will look like.

So the next chapter is still to be written. But as this birthday has shown: even when a morning begins under grey skies, sometimes a few caring people, a good meal and a birthday cake are enough to end the day in bright sunshine. ☀️