Dear Paris,
You hold my children's smiles.
You hold museum adventures, river boat cruises, carousel rides and tower climbs.
You hold family visits and friend visits and all our visits from Père Noel.
You hold museum adventures, river boat cruises, carousel rides and tower climbs.
You hold family visits and friend visits and all our visits from Père Noel.
It was on your sidewalks that we walked through those first years, their little hands in mine. The daily routine and grand adventures of their childhood are engraved in your stone, planted in your parks and woven into the fabric of your culture. O, city of lights, you hold their firsts. First steps. First teeth. First words. First friends. First schools. First achievements. First failures. First heroes. And first loves. For more than a decade we called you home. Home. We were honored to call you home.
My heart has been broken, just broken to pieces these last days. I remember the fear and uncertainty that stunned all of us here in the days and weeks after the Bosotn Marathon attack. My heart aches for the loss. For the loss of the sense of safety and refuge that home implies. For each family and friend that has suffered loss. And for the children, who have, if only for this moment, lost their smiles.
My dear Paris. One thing I know is that when the stain of these last days has been washed from your stone walls and walkways...when the laughter of children fills each little park down the street....when your cafes, restaurants, theaters and arenas are alive with the threads that have woven the rich tapestry of la culture française... when shock and horror fade gently into an echo of pain, you, my dear Paris, will be standing strong. As you've stood so many, many times throughout your history. As you stood to protect all of us living there after your metros were brutally attacked. You've stood. You stand. And, I hope you know, that the world stands with you.
Yes, Paris...you hold my children's smiles. Their childhood. I am forever grateful to have lived in the heart of such a great city. I long to return. To spend time with you yet again. I know that when that day comes, I will find you essentially ~ in your essence, in that which makes you great ~ unchanged.
And I will find my children's smiles in the chatter and laughter and smiles of les précieux enfants who continue to call you home.
Paris, je t'aime.
Linking with Kim and Kat
My heart has been broken, just broken to pieces these last days. I remember the fear and uncertainty that stunned all of us here in the days and weeks after the Bosotn Marathon attack. My heart aches for the loss. For the loss of the sense of safety and refuge that home implies. For each family and friend that has suffered loss. And for the children, who have, if only for this moment, lost their smiles.
My dear Paris. One thing I know is that when the stain of these last days has been washed from your stone walls and walkways...when the laughter of children fills each little park down the street....when your cafes, restaurants, theaters and arenas are alive with the threads that have woven the rich tapestry of la culture française... when shock and horror fade gently into an echo of pain, you, my dear Paris, will be standing strong. As you've stood so many, many times throughout your history. As you stood to protect all of us living there after your metros were brutally attacked. You've stood. You stand. And, I hope you know, that the world stands with you.
Yes, Paris...you hold my children's smiles. Their childhood. I am forever grateful to have lived in the heart of such a great city. I long to return. To spend time with you yet again. I know that when that day comes, I will find you essentially ~ in your essence, in that which makes you great ~ unchanged.
And I will find my children's smiles in the chatter and laughter and smiles of les précieux enfants who continue to call you home.
Paris, je t'aime.
Linking with Kim and Kat
Just beautiful. X
ReplyDeleteJust too much violence and heart break in the world right now.
ReplyDeleteI love your way with words...so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteso beautifully written, i know you have such a special connection to and love for paris!!!
ReplyDeletethe world is such a dark place right now!!!!
beautifully said...
ReplyDeleteThis is so beautiful Adrienne... I was afraid to read it at first, I knew it would bring more tears and clench my heart. And of course it did, but it was worth it, every touching word of it. Were you living in Paris during the metro attacks? ... oh how much this city has seen and endured. She is like a relative to you I imagine, 12 years carves into a large portion of your heart. But like you said, she will again stand strong as she's done for many many years. And I hope when you and your children revisit Paris, you will find her majestic as ever, "washed of the recent stains". xo
ReplyDeleteahh such a bittersweet post. I hope you do get to return to Paris and find your children's smiles. Stopping by from mama kats kelley at the road goes ever ever on
ReplyDeleteI may cry. You had me drawn in at the way Paris held your children's smiles. I felt that because I understand that about an adopted city. It's amazing how we tie the memories of our children to a place. I know it hurt so badly for you. I hope to visit someday to experience your words.
ReplyDelete