the third floor of Dieulafoy, in Purpan hospital, a black and white, hangs on the wall in the waiting room of Hematology. Jean-Jacques, is here caught in the trap of serious illness. Berenice his wife at his side. Words fail them, but the photo speaks to them. They will long to Dieulafoy and Hodgkin's disease will be defeated.
But once back at home in Carcassonne, they will keep the fond memories of this shepherd under his cloak. This photo remains etched in their memory. They have not forgotten its details. Of course dry and wrinkled hands that build on a stick, his face etched with lines, droopy mustache and beard show that man is a worker, outdoor wear and age. But that speaks more about the person, is his eye, as it has depth and wisdom. It seems to be looking to the future with generosity, kindness and optimism. The optimism is perhaps this, too, which is good for Jean-Jacques in his periods of doubt.
One day, long after Jean-Jacques, flipping through a magazine Pyrenees, which he subscribed, will fall on the portrait of the shepherd. Exactly the same as Dieulafoy. He told Berenice:''Here the Pyrenees Magazine this month, there is a picture of someone you know.'' To his great surprise,''Berenice recognizes their shepherd.'' In a letter written to the editor of the magazine, she explains her encounter with this was and whether it is possible to obtain a copy of the photo. Sensitive to this letter, a member of the journal forward the letter to Jean Dieuzaide Berenice, famous photographer from Toulouse, who in 1954 took this shot. Jacqueline Dieuzaide itself, after having made contact by telephone with Berenice, he will kindly send a copy of the photo, along with a very nice letter. . The photo will be framed, the letter stuck to his back and everything will be a small value of the family living room furniture.
On December 31, 1999, Jean Dieuzaide that still touched by the letter of Berenice, call to present his New Year greetings to Jean-Jacques and Berenice. It was during this telephone conversation that they tell under what circumstances, and the time it took for that trust is built, and the Shepherd of Arreau finally agreed to be photographed.
Over twenty years of Hodgkin's disease has been conquered, Jean-Jacques and Bernice, have lived those years just happy, no taste of luxury, conspicuous object, much like their shepherd, casting a watchful eye on young and old around them.
And then one day, Incidentally, as an ordinary back pain, the disease has returned. Visits to Jean-Jacques sometimes in hospital, sometimes at home, will be relatively frequent. The man in pain and despite his physical decay give him the same image as the shepherd. Like him, it will be immobile and impassive. Like him, he will be well covered with caps and hood, when it comes out. And especially, like him, his eyes remain full of kindness, generosity and friendship.
Unfortunately, since Jean-Jacques is gone. He saw probably more the old shepherd. Berenice was left alone with his photo. When we visited her, Jean Dieuzaide the shepherd is always in the same place, as to show us the way, perhaps the one that Jean-Jacques loved to take, to go fishing for trout in the mountains of the shepherd ...
