June 8, 2004
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Les " affamés "
The " starvings "
Manon et Antoine paraissent épuisés , mourant de faim sur un banc au bord de la mer . Antoine , à droite , dévore son sandwich à belles dents . Ils avaient réellement faim . .
Quand je vois cette photo je pense à tous ces enfants du monde qui ont faim et presque rien à manger .
Un jour , je travaillais dans une autre ville qu ' Amiens et à midi je sortis en retard . Mes collègues étaient déjà partis dans un restaurant inconnu . Vous savez qu ' en France le repas du midi est le repas principal de la journée . J ' étais donc seul dans les rues de cette ville quand soudain je m ' aperçus que j ' avais oublié mon porte - feuille : ni argent , ni chèque , ni carte de paiement . Quel choc ! J ' étais dans un état d ' effondrement complet . J ' avais une faim de loup . J ' errais désespérément avec une brûlante sensation de faim et le besoin irrésistible de manger . Mais rienà faire . Ces villes sont comme un désert . J ' eus donc à travailler jusqu ' au soir sans rien dans l ' estomac .
Depuis ce temps là , je sais ce qu ' est la faim et n ' avoir rien à manger
Manon and Antoine look exhausted , dying of starvation on a bench near the seaside . Antoine , on the right , is devouring his sandwich with all of his teeth . They were really hungry .
When I look at this picture I think of all of those children in the world that are permanently hungry and have almost nothing to eat .
Once upon a day I worked in another town than Amiens . At midday I came out late . My colleagues already had gone to an unknown restaurant . You know that in France the midday meal is the main one in the day .
I was alone in the streets of this town when suddenly I realized I had forgotten my wallet : no money , no check , no credit card ! What a shock ! I was in a state of total collapse . I was ravenous ! I wandered desesperately with a burning sensation of hunger and the irresistible need to eat . But nothing to do . Those towns are true deserts . I had to work untill the night without anything in my stomach !
Since this time I know what is the hunger and not having anything to eat .
( photo taken by Jean- Baptiste Fauquet )
Comments (108)
what cute kids!
and a good lesson for us all to be aware of
definitely makes us more appreciative of what we have.
An important, but uncomfortable lesson to learn. It does make you more grateful for what you have, doesn't it?
Le manque fait apprécier l'avoir. -- Lise
hungry children, children in poverty, how can these things happen in a world as rich as ours? I do not understand.
An interesting entry...
La faim peut causer beaucoup de souffrance, physiquement et mentalement =(
Joe seems so ready for his lunch
lovely photo of your grandchildren Michel 
. I know the French love their lunches 
He has a look on his face that says, "dont touch my sandwich!"
cute kiddos!! 
they really look like they're hungry~! lol
and it's lunch time for me now. so off I go.
have a great day, Michel~!
~janny
I can't believe nobody lent you some francs to buy something? it does make is be thankful though for having food and drink
I didn't realize that lunch was the main meal in France. Oftentimes, in the summertime, I'll not eat at all until 9 PM at night!
Manon est rousse? Elle a le soleil dans les cheveux. En effet, il suffit de manquer d'une chose pour peu de temps pour en apprécier la vraie valeur. On prend tant de choses pour acquises dans la vie...
Clara
That picture just makes me want to reach out and hug them. They are so cute.
Hunger seems as though it should be an easy problem to fix. Those who have excess sharing with those who are lacking. But unfortunately our world doesn't so much work that way.
AAh.....adorable.....
Lunch is my main meal as well. Because by the time I get off work restaurants are crowded and I am too tired to cook.
Amy
The picture wouldn't load here.
Have a great week!
Your grandchildren are so adorable! I know they must fill your life with joy.
I also sometimes wonder about the starving children in the world. It makes me feel grateful for everything that I have been blessed with.
<3
What a well written blog. It does make you stop and think, as it is not too much fun to be hungry. The picture of your grandchildren are beautiful, as always. I wonder if you have ever entered your pictures in any photo contests. I think that some of them are exceptional.
I did not know about the French eating their main meal at lunchtime. I have been doing that for years. My reasoning for doing it, is because it gives me time to work off the calories and keep my weight in check.
The only time it is a problem, is when I have company, as they expect a big meal in the evening. 
Have a great week!!!
Love
Edie Rose
Oops!!! When I went back to look again, I noticed someone else took this photo. Sorry.
It is still good!!!
Don't you get tired after a big lunch? I guess you guys are used to it now
What sweet little ones!
Bonjour! C'est un photo mignon! (Excusez-moi si mon francais deviendrait plus mal. I have not used it in a long time!)
Oui, c'est triste pour les enfants qui ont faim toujours.
Yes, it is very uncomfortable to be hungry. I get very weak and sick feeling when I'm in that condition. Can you imagine feeling that way all the time? One day those conditions won't exist. That is a Bible promise.
Look at how cute they are! He looks so serious about his lunch! It's always nice to remember how fortunate we are to have food and shelter.
Oh don't know why the picture is not showing! =( I do understand the feeling of hunger very well, because I always have to eat a lot, especially snacks like chocolates and potato chips! Hahaha.... it feels really bad to be hungry...I do hope one day our Earth will be free of famine =)
I will be leaving for Paris in an hour! Anything related to France always reminds me of you, Michel! =)
Ohhh the children DO look famished, Michel!
A great photo this one! Seriously though, it certainly does make you think of all the people in our world who have to live daily with no prospects of a decent meal. Absolutely dreadful in this day and age, people should have to live like this. 
I can imagine how hungry you would have found yourself after realising your wallet wasn't there, Michel! I bet you made sure your wallet was with you at ALL times after this incident.
I remember telling my children they did not know true hunger. There is nothing like working hard all day on an empty stomach to teach that lesson. Great picture as always. Blessings to you and Janine.
I am reading a book about The Hunger Winter of 1944-45 in the Netherlands during the German occupation. My mother said they were so hungry and there was no food. They were eating tulip bulbs and sugar beets.
Those are adorable little babies in that picture. I am sure you have a lot of fun with them.
Bless their little hearts! They're so precious.
I don't understand how we can live the way we do, with plenty (and even too much food) and other's have nothing.
I feel the same way when I don't have any lunch! Great picture, they are really cute. Sure hope you are having a great day. Can't wait to see more pictures!
Hey, your a cool guy Fauquet! I heard about you from a friend who subscribes to you, i thought you sounded like a good guy then i thought i'll subscribe too. If she likes you i should too! (Wish i could learn french! i'll be taking a 2 language class at Blazer!)
love yah bro,
Maria
The knowledge of how to create our own food is disapearing from the minds of common people. When this happens, we become the slaves of the big companies who supply our food. We loose the ability to teach our children how to really survive.
Please write down the things you know about gardening so that they may read it when they are older and want to know.
Antoine looks reallllllly famished! lol
Thinking about all those children hungry in the poor parts of the world make me feel a little sad too. But it makes me appreciate the things and food I have more.
exquisite photo graphs and an even better write up. hunger is so very avoidable ... one empirically observered fact that this made me think of is that so far no country that has democratically elected governments has there been a famine .... hunger yes, but not devastation from a famine. democratic leaders try and help their population in times of dire need ....
Do you have a picture of the kids after they ate their sandwhich?
You brought back memories of my days in New York. I was a teen, with only enough cash for one meal a day, and a tiny meal, at that. I was down to 110 pounds. Actually, I've put on weight here in Belgium, and wish to diet. Amazing how one thinks of food.
Ah bon? c'est le dejeuner le repas le + important? Je pensais que c'était le petit dejeuner.
yes, quite often the hungry kids take to drugs to ease that pain of constant hunger and the sense of despair. and then they die. even before they have reached their youth!:((
What a wonderful entry to make us think about and appreciate all that we have. Your grandchildren are always so cute!
The children are too adorable
Antoine looks like he is saying "don't take my picture! I'm busy eating!". It's indeed sad to think that there are so many children in the world who go hungry each day ...
The sea made them hungry. beautiful photo!
Knowing what hunger is, I feel some of the pain that those who go without food feel. I don't suffer from it everyday, though. I do wish that there could be a cure for world hunger, but it sounds more like wishful thinking than a wishful possibility.
Have a great Wednesday, my friend!
There are MILLIONS of people dying of starvation around the world and many of us never give them a thought. I get quite a few missionary magazines, constant reminders of how some people have to live. We, here don't appreciate how lucky we are. OK ! off the soap-box now
Good post Michel 
Marie
I can see it now... I think it must have been a problem with my internet connection here... they look so cute!
"Donne-nous notre pain de ce jour." Ce ne sont pas de vains mots ....
, AM
ils sont beaux tes petits et la mer symbolise leur vaste avenir
amitiés
random prOpz! i wish i had the time to read what you have posted but I don't. I guess I'll read them next time. propz!
beautiful picture, beautiful children, walking on the beach seems to make me hungry too
Sam and Emily are either not interested in eating or eat like they are starving, too!
When children play very hard, they often become ravenous. Sam has a big sweet tooth, and loves to consume large quantities of candy.
So nice to read another entry from my friend. Besos!
As always, a precious picture of your adorable grandchildren!! Is it the photographer or the subject matter......certainly a little of both!!
While I have been hungry I have never been so hungry I felt myself starving....in fact, my brother & I used to kid that either of us could afford to live off the fat of our own land....but, I have seen pictures of starving humans & animals, and it always breaks my heart considering I have so much. You would think that in this day & age, with all of our technological advances, we could find a way to insure that no one ever goes hungry....I think, if we didn't have so much political corruption, we could accomplish this goal.
Thought provoking, Michel....while admiring your beautiful family. Have a great rest of the week!!
Such cute children
It is sad to think of starving children when some have so much.
adorable babies...Precious little faces...
rubymoon
Enjoyed your entry today. Thought I would let you know I've made some entries on my site after being absent for a few months. Hope to see you there.
oh my, i would have passed out. great pic of the cherubs. do you carry an emergency sandwhich with you at all times now? i have only one memory of being hungry. that is a sad feeling.
It is sad that some people are that way all the time. I like the picture!
rr
Manon et Antoine sont le future du monde. Eux doivent chercher de continuer a faire un monde ou on aura plus des enfants qui meure de faime. Utopia?mais on doit y croire comme l'olivier qui veux avoir des ailes.
En Italie aussie on mange le pricipal repas a midi,mais on et en train de changer.La vie moderne on ne nous permet pas d'avoir du temps pour etre ensemble en table.
Amitié
Carlo
That is a beautiful picture...are they your grandchildren??
I pray that some people have the same heart, eyes and souls as you do.
(BIG)*hugs*
Beautiful picture. You are blessed to have those two healthy children. I have never experienced true hunger, nor has anyone I have known but I truly feel for those that know it every single day of their lives.
Oui Michel, j'ai eu aussi l'expérience de n'avoir rien à manager! C'était dûr!
Votre petit-enfants sont très mignons en mangeant des sandwiches ici dans la photo! Amitié à toi!
It's such a sad world sometimes...I wish that there was more I could do to help.
It is a shame that so many go hungry in our world. When I go to restaurants and see all that we leave on our plates I always feel a bit of guilt at the fact that food is going to be thrown away when so many go hungry. THank you for your kind birthday wishes
Love, Nancy
Putting things in perspectives for us! I really think we hafta experience everything first-hand to truly understand how it feels!
To be honest..i sometimes think...those of us who have so much..don't know how to be grateful!..including myself!=)
LOL that is too cute Michel. He certainly does look starved.. its funny yet when put into the context of all the worlds starving its not funny.
Juste un petit rappel, le vote est pour aujourd'hui.
Merci d'avance.
Clara
I am sorry for Mitzi . I have clicked at the right of her name and so I have deleted her intersting comment . The next time I will type when I will be completely awake !!
Comme toujours la photo est adorable. Vos petits enfants sont beaux a croquer!
Je ne souhaitrais jamais du mal (du moins j'essaie de ne pas le faire) a qui que se soit mais je crois que chaque personne devrait ressentir la faim, le froid, la pauvrete...cela nous rends plus sensibles a ce que d'autres ressentent. Thank you for the reminder Michel
C'est très triste que n'importe qui doit aller affamé dans le monde d'aujourd'hui. Nous avons si beaucoup à partager et vraiment avoir besoin d'avoir un soin pour les enfants du monde affamés. La bonne poste, mon ami.
Et, non, l'araignée ne m'a pas mordu. Remercier mon bon Dieu.
It is truly horrible to be hungry and not know where your next meal will come from. I heard once that most people in the world live just a short distance from homelessness and hunger. I believe that to be so since this country is filled with those who live from paycheck to paycheck and are drowning in their own debt.
What a gentle reminder of all those that go without, as we have our abundance. Blessings and love to you ....... Rosie
It is very sad that we have people starving in this world. If only we could keep that from happening.
These two children are so adorable! Tell me Michel, is there anyone in your family that isn't beautiful?
Circumstances like the one you described makes us realize how thankful we are that we can work for money to buy the food to substain us...and I am thanful that your grandchildren got to eat...they are so sweet they make me smile...children wear their emotions right out in the open and that is a wonderful thing...you too enjoy your weekend...hggs to you...Sassy
It is a point of satisfaction that in my work I am able to help hungry people have food. I am fortunate that all of my life I have been able to work in jobs where I could help people in some way. I cannot help everyone, but I can help someone.
Carol Suzanne
je viens de me rendre compte seulemnt aujourd'hui que vous aviez laisser un (non 2!!) post sur mon post de ''les colocs"
Désolée. 
Nana
Aww the kids are adorable. In a lot less better time, I to knew what it was to be hungry and with out food. Sometimes we know not how good we really have it. I could never be angry at you Michel. I adore you. I am sad to say I have virtually not visited anyone. Or very few people at all. My carpal tunnel is at an all time high. It even keeps me awake at night. Not to mention that this is the season that makes my asthma have a field day. I am going to try and do better my friend. I have been so remiss. Have a great day and a wonderful tomorrow ! ! ! Much love and many, many hugs ! ! ! Sleep with the angels and wake up feeling fully rested and ready for a new day ! ! !
Merci beaucouo de ton amitié, Michel. Je suis très touchée.
Bonne fin de semaine!
Clara
Hope you have a great weekend! Love and Hugs
Oh Michel, what sweet grandbabes you have. They keep us young.. I hope they bring you as much joy and pleasure as mine do.. Have a wonderful (unhungry!) weekend, my friend..
Love the photo of the 2 little ones ,You ,starving after just one day ,surely you went more hungry during the war. They are showing repeats of 'Allo Allo' on our T.V., set in France during the war, did you ever see them over there. Made in England and they are supposed to be speaking French but it is English ,although I have seen it before I have to laugh at their exploits, not a bit like a real occupation. Thanks for all your comments not much change here, except Matt phoned me today and wanted to chat for a while .I am looking forward to getting over this flu' and going in .I feel so guilty all the time at not going in every day but just too exhausting for my legs. Love Marjie
Being hungry is terrible. One of the worst feelings there is. The side effects that come with it are the worst. The feeling of nausea, of feeling light-headed, and the shaky feeling in your limbs. I hate those times. You and I are lucky that we don't have this feeling every day.
Hope you are well, my friend, and have enough to eat!!!
Nina
Such lovely grandchildren you have and they sure looked hungry. Thanks for your nice comments, they were appreciated very much
Angela
I can't remember if I have commented, so I will comment anyway! The photo of your grandchildren is adorable. They are so sweet. I pray that they, like me, will never know hunger!
ohh i hate the feeling of starving as well...
ann
Ils sont tres adorables
On dit en anglais, "When I look at this picture...". J'aimerais que vous corriger mon francais aussi s'il vous plait
Merci en avance!
Close things can often reminds us of those far away. Whether we like it or not.
They are so cute! It is difficult to go hungry. I am thankful for food: for my stomach and my soul!
a good site. and good lession for all of us. I read the journal entry on the 6 of june. It was very moving as well.
Billy
That is such a cute picture!! Chase eats like that almost every time he eats. I guess being a growing boy, he is constantly hungry.
Once when we were backpacking, we had run out of food in the morning and we walked out of the back country that day. We were afraid that we were lost and we were so hungry...that was the day that I got in touch with what true hunger must be like for those who don't know when they'll eat again.
Wonderful blog. Michel. I think that it's good to remember those who are hungry and to give.
Hugs,
Lisa
There is nothing like personal experience to give us empathy. Those kiddies do look hungry
hi! its always nice to make new friends.
That picture speaks a thousand words...adorable, heartwrenching, and relieving at the same time knowing that they have food to eat...
Allez, les Bleus! Bravo, Zizou!
Clara
Oxford colleges are full of waste, water and food, my own college wastes so much water that it can only be called selfishness.
God bless the children. It's a shame that so many sweet children go hungry in this world. I hope leone is right.
BTW, congratulations on France's 2-1 victory over England. Juls is fit to be tied!
faim : c'est bien le jeûn qui nous rend plus sensible au malheur des autres
on a gagné Michel
phénomenal ce qui s'est passé à Lisboa hier. J'ai été vivement ému à la fin. Gloire à Dieu! nous, on a regardé impuissants le long du match une équipe de France qui ne trouvait pas de solutions.
Il a fallu beaucoup de patience pour les Bleus et c'est en fait l'empreinte de Champions qui a fait la différence. car à ce niveau, la moindre petite erreur de concentration devient facilement irréparable. et les anglais en ont fait deux...
quel match !! c'est "vrai" que Barthez ne mérite que la troisième place au banc des gardiens remplaçants à Manchester United
c'est vrai que Zizou est le meilleur joueur au Monde aujourd'hui
that's why everytime i see someone waste their food or drink i'll go, 'while there's people dying of hunger and starvation.. you're wasting away your food'. just to remind them that poverty and hunger exist in parts of the world.
it's harsh. but that's life.
I am sorry that I confused you the last time I wrote. I do not remember what I wrote. Where in France do you live? I am american but I am half french.
Michel,
je parle français un peu. J'ai étudié le français à mon école. Mais je n'ai pas eu la chance de parler français avec une personne française encore. Pouvez-vous lire ceci ?
Billy
Those lessions in life that truely make us greatful for our blessings my dear friend.Thank you for being here for me when i was troubled.love and hugs fancy
Michel,
Merci de dire que mon Français était parfait. Parfois j'ai des problèmes avec mon Français. Votre anglais est bon. Peut-être nous pouvons pratiquer notre français et anglais avec l'un l'autre. En outre, avez-vous un email address que j'email de bidon vous à ?
Billy
Mon grand-pere m' a dit que quand il a ete en France (Pendant la 2eme Guerre Mondial) il a toujours confuse' (?) les mots "maison" et "manger". Ce sont les deux seuls mots francais qu'il se souvient maintenant. Mais ils sont des mots importants.
Bonne journee!
hey sweety hope all is well with you thank you for all you kind comments I love getting them hope you have a beatuiful weel Love and Hugs
awww Michel, that is a very difficult circumstance. I too think of the little ones who get so little. How blessed we are in our nations of plenty! Prayer for those is all I have to offer at this time, and the hope to be able to send a few dollars now & then to those who try to give them assistance.
Your grandchildren are precious and beautiful! I always enjoy the pictures you share.
hugs and love,
Deb
Oh, I almost forgot to tell you, I too am glad the U.S. and France are allied so long. I watch some things to remind me on the History Channel sometimes and I am grateful for the friendships. I watched a movie with Mike Sunday at the theatre (we had a date!
) and we saw The Day After Tomorrow... very exihilarating! In this movie we saw our "Lady Liberty", the kind gift from our friends in France, so long ago. I looked over to Mike as I was struck with this thought, and whispered to him, "I am so glad our friends in France gave her to us. She means so much to us now" He smiled and nodded. We both thought of you. 
Hugs and love,
Deb
I think we all need to know hunger a little better. Not starvation just hunger.
Your grandchildren are always so cute. Antoine does look really hungry. I hope their sandwiches were good.
I like how you always find a deeper meaning to events, no matter how simple. It's what makes you the very nice man that you are.
i'd often try not to eat to save money for school... till i realised that i wasn't just starving my body, but also a passion for life itself. a hungry stomach makes for a full mind.
anu
your grandchildren are beautiful
A new post! want a new post!!
I'm going to try my awful french...
Je sais que j'ai mentionné ceci avant, mais vos petits-enfants sont adorables! C'est dommage qu'il y a plusieur d'enfants affamés dans ce monde qui n'ont rien à manger.
Love those pictures of the grandchildren! We like lunch as our main meal(by "we", I mean my husband and I) but it's hard when you are employed to come home and cook a large meal.
Too many hungry childrean and too many fat Americans.
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