Comments on: Andy's Insights from a Parisian

By: laura bruno lilly

laura bruno lilly — Fri, 03 May 2019 01:37:59 +0000

What a story of family discovery…I’m so happy for your new connections.
Please convey my personal condolences to your French cousin for the loss of such a treasure that is Notre Dame.

By: Lesley Kluchin

Lesley Kluchin — Thu, 02 May 2019 21:17:13 +0000

This was so very poignant to read. I recently spent hours discussing the subject of your blog with my French cousin.
A quick backstory… While doing my ancestry DNA several months back, I discovered I had one surviving French relative. The rest of my Dad’s French relatives were sent to Auschwitz when the Nazis took over Paris during WWII. (My grandfather moved to America from France early in the 20th century but all his brothers and sisters remained). A first cousin of my father’s hid from the Nazis and survived the war, and her daughter found me. We have been writing and face timing ever since. Our resemblance is startling.
Anyway, she thanked me for immediately texting her when I watched with horror as the towers fell. She then face timed me and was sobbing. She stated that it was so more than a place of worship. It wAs French History. A part of France itself. She felt like a member of her family had died. She lives in the heart of Paris and from her window she could see the tower burning and watched the magical structure fall. She was in despair. What she couldn’t understand was why her other American cousins she had recently reconnected with didn’t call or write when it happened. My sister and I were the only ones who immediately contacted her. I explained that America is such a new country that most people here aren’t aware of how Everything in France has such history and such meaning. Unfortunately, many Americans are rather oblivious to history. She stated that this was the soul of Paris. She was heartbroken. Literally heartbroken.
It makes me wonder if most Americans are just too self absorbed or too unaware to appreciate such a monumental display of architecture and history. As a retired teacher I’m disappointed in the lack of cultural empathy being displayed by so many young people in this country.

By: laura bruno lilly

laura bruno lilly — Sat, 20 Apr 2019 14:00:04 +0000

In reply to Andrea Stephenson. There is a saying written on one of the South Carolina liscence plates here which states: 'While I Breathe I Hope'. Kinda fits.

By: Andrea Stephenson

Andrea Stephenson — Fri, 19 Apr 2019 15:26:32 +0000

It does seem devastating when something so iconic and old is lost, but as you say, there is always hope and nothing is permanent.

By: laura bruno lilly

laura bruno lilly — Thu, 18 Apr 2019 02:22:45 +0000

In reply to Marty. You're welcome, Marty.

By: laura bruno lilly

laura bruno lilly — Wed, 17 Apr 2019 19:29:38 +0000

In reply to Roseanne. Blessings to you, Roseanne during this season of hope.

By: laura bruno lilly

laura bruno lilly — Wed, 17 Apr 2019 19:28:29 +0000

In reply to Ally Bean.

Ours is indeed an impatient world. To think it took generations of artisans/builders to construct the Cathedral in the first place – so ‘not’ 21st century thinking.

By: laura bruno lilly

laura bruno lilly — Wed, 17 Apr 2019 19:26:38 +0000

In reply to Jill. Thanks, Jill. Hope your Easter is filled with hummers, family, choco bunnies and His Love.

By: Marty

Marty — Wed, 17 Apr 2019 17:34:37 +0000

Thanks for sharing that post, Laura. So many people have been comparing this fire to the many church fires in Louisiana too. Tragic, all of them.

By: laura bruno lilly

laura bruno lilly — Wed, 17 Apr 2019 13:51:51 +0000

In reply to Mariss Stevens.

It is a not-so-subtle reminder that nothing really is permanent…makes me wonder all the more about the ancient ‘monuments’ we’ve never had a chance to see.
Great literary reference, very apropos.