I catch her as she is finishing her late breakfast. Cold scrambled eggs, and pieces of  what looks like French toast. She eats very slowly, closing her eyes with each bite, and turning the food in her mouth, many times before swallowing.

“May I sit with you?” I wonder. She utters words that I cannot understand. I venture to take a seat. And I take in Jean’s demonstration in mindful eating.

Jean used to teach English at one of the UC colleges. I was told she wrote several novels, all translated in several languages.

In between two bites, she blurts out:

“Do you have what says what it is that is?”

Losing one’s ability to use words precisely can be very cruel. Especially for someone like Jean.