From
the first day in their home, Mme. Ruelle
told me to call
her Maman and M. Ruelle, Papa,
just like the rest
of the children. After a few
weeks, it seemed
perfectly natural as though
I had been doing
it all my life. I still call
them my parents
when I talk about them.
Because
the Ruelles spoke no English, I had
to speak French
in order to communicate.
After three or four
weeks, I could almost
understand things
people said and I could make
myself understood.
Whenever I said a wrong
word or used the
wrong form, Maman was
always there to
correct my French. During
their vacation,
we took a trip to Provence,
France, where everyone
speaks very quickly.
I almost had to
learn the language all over
again. But by the
end of the summer, and I
hope I will forever,
I spoke fluent French.
I was able to understand
everything that was
said, even the conversations
next to me on a bus, and I could say anything I wanted. My Swiss sisters
and their parents plan to visit here within the next few years. I will
show them my country the way they showed me theirs.
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