At 82, my Acadian mother's perspective is a wise one.
She sees things clearly and has no trouble saying what she thinks.

I like to include her in my lifetime activities.
Keep her involved in things that interest me.

I thought she might find it comforting to know
  that one of our State's finest politicians was a woman of Franco descent.
She was a woman of distinction and  of honor.

She made difficult political choices when they were needed.
And served as a Senator for many years.

Someone doing geneology recognized that she had changed her name.
It is thought perhaps it was done for political advantage.

It wasn't popular during her time to be of French descent.
It was common for people to change their name to a more acceptable English version

At the conference, there was a lot of interest  from the Franco's in claiming the Senator.
The geneologists said she was one of our own.

"Turncoat", my mother said.
She didn't want us then.
We don't want her now!

documented after a conversation with my mother over the fact that the French culture in Maine still has a way to go.
November 2001

By Terry Martin, Rumford, ME