Sue and I spent the first week of our honeymoon in Paris. Thanks to my parents, we stayed at the historical Hotel Jeu de Pomme for a couple days on the Île Saint-Louis. We were only a couple blocks from the Cathedral Notre Dame. We spent quite a time inside the cathedral walking and in awe of the awesome art and architecture. And we sat outside, watching people walking by, jugglers with flaming pins. We would sit at a cafe and look at the cathedral up close. Later we dined at the historic and extravagant Tour D'Argent and looked out and saw the cathedral from a distance.
I am thankful that it may be that no one may have died in the fire (written after the fire was mostly extinguished). Often, very often, my memories of Sue are triggered. Today thoughts of her streamed in as I saw the horror of the fire and the collapse of the roof. There is much sadness in loss. But I cherish and enjoy so much my memories of the multitude of wonderful times we spent together. Those of us who have visited the cathedral remember that visit well. And quite often that memory is also mixed with the memories of our life and love.
It may seem obvious that Paris is very romantic. But for me, being with Sue made Paris romantic. I hope that the cathedral is rebuilt to its full glory for other honeymooners, for all the French and for parishioners. Je t'aime Sue.