I’ve written about my father-in-law’s surprising, tricky, and wonderful journey with prostate cancer and hospice in several posts now. (I’ll have links to them at the bottom for anyone interested.)
Well, Mon Pere’s experiences with hospice have been so good that he’s become quite the convert and unbeknownst to anyone in the family, he went off and did an interview with the Idaho Quality of Life Coalition in order to try and help alleviate some of the persistent confusion that exists around hospice care. Afterwards the video was posted on Youtube! (Which is all kinds of ironic since Mon Pere doesn’t own, want, or even like computers very much. I’m pretty sure he doesn’t know what Youtube is.)
Anyway, my brother-in-law just stumbled across it by chance today and emailed the link to the rest of us. I thought I’d put it up here, too, both to help Mon Pere with his awareness raising efforts as well as introduce him to you all in person. (The interview is about six minutes long.)
He’s really trying to behave himself but his ribald sense of humor sneaks in towards the end with his little joke about dancing (the unabridged version suggests a more carnal activity.) We’ve all heard the joke…and others like it…more times than I can count but he laughs like it’s the first time, every single time he tells it. He’s such a character.
Without further ado I give you Mon Pere.
copyright Dia Osborn 2013
The other posts:
Elders and the strange gravitational effect of final mystery.
I’m still here. Updates on wildfire smoke, a hospice patient in the family, and garden things.
“I hope you don’t mind but I’ve never died before, so I have some questions.”
Massachusetts and Question 2: Should doctors be allowed to prescribe lethal doses?
The Odd and Unmentionable 
Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
I’VE WORKED IN HOSPICE CARE…IT IS A GREAT IDEA!!!!
Thanks Mighty and here here! The misunderstanding is great, the need profound, and the benefits are the best kept secret in the world. Go figure!
So very much loved this Dia!!!!! Give him a hug for me!! I love his humor!!
Sent from my iPad
Will do Becki. He’s an extraordinary man who’s teaching us all a lot, that’s for sure.
Wow and Hoorah for Mon Pere! Bless him and Hospice and all of you who surround him with your love and appreciation!
Dia – How can I copy Mon Pere’s marvelous video so I can send it to dozens of friends who don’t know about Hospice and wonder why in hell I volunteer to see the men I do?
Loved the video and Mon Pere!
Bob
Thanks Bob, and I know…I got so tired of people telling me “Oh, that must be depressing” when I told them I worked with hospice! I sent you an email with instructions. Let me know if they work.
This is priceless, Dia. Thanks for posting. Mon Pere is amazing, as you have said in the past, now I see for myself. Would you mind if I post this video on FB and Twitter? I think it should be seen by everyone!
That would be SO great if you would, Linda. I’d love for him to see how social media works and how helpful it can be. This would be a great hands-on experience for him. Thanks!