This weekend trip to Paris for Conner and I's three year anniversary has been completely different than I expected. With the turn of events here in France last night, I've been reminded of how short life is. The world is a crazy and scary place sometimes, even in the most beautiful of cities. I have been shown once again how supported and loved I am by so many at home and around the world. Conner and I have received countless messages, calls, and Facebook posts checking on our safety and praying for us and for the rest of those in France. I'm so saddened by these acts of hate we see happening in the world around us, but in these times you learn to cling on to those you love and cherish all the time you've had and the time that remains.
It was unreal today to walk out our hotel doors this morning and find that the streets were still full of many people, many shops were running normally, and that it was a beautiful day. How after such a terrible event does life just continue on? There are many notable events like the Eiffel Tower being shut down indefinitely, the Louvre being closed to the public, and many shops shutdown that remind everyone of the horror that struck here in France. There are cops and soldiers patrolling the streets and all highly populated areas, but in general, the French population seem to be taking a stand against the terrorists by not letting this event stop their ways of life. I'm an American and I'm grieving with the French today and forever as I have been a minuscule part of this time in history.
Conner surprised me with a planned trip to a wine tasting this evening and the sommelier said that in light of this event, he wanted to make this evening a fun one for us and for him as well. He said that in this tragedy we must find a way to celebrate life. And I couldn't agree more. It felt wrong today to walk around and visit sites, to take in the beautiful scenery, architecture, and to stand under the Eiffel Tower. It felt wrong to take pictures and be happy with my best friend, but I was reminded yet again that life is short and we must make the most of what is given us. We carry a sadness in our hearts with those lost in the acts of terror and we pray for their loved ones who are suffering as we go from day to day.
It was unreal today to walk out our hotel doors this morning and find that the streets were still full of many people, many shops were running normally, and that it was a beautiful day. How after such a terrible event does life just continue on? There are many notable events like the Eiffel Tower being shut down indefinitely, the Louvre being closed to the public, and many shops shutdown that remind everyone of the horror that struck here in France. There are cops and soldiers patrolling the streets and all highly populated areas, but in general, the French population seem to be taking a stand against the terrorists by not letting this event stop their ways of life. I'm an American and I'm grieving with the French today and forever as I have been a minuscule part of this time in history.
Conner surprised me with a planned trip to a wine tasting this evening and the sommelier said that in light of this event, he wanted to make this evening a fun one for us and for him as well. He said that in this tragedy we must find a way to celebrate life. And I couldn't agree more. It felt wrong today to walk around and visit sites, to take in the beautiful scenery, architecture, and to stand under the Eiffel Tower. It felt wrong to take pictures and be happy with my best friend, but I was reminded yet again that life is short and we must make the most of what is given us. We carry a sadness in our hearts with those lost in the acts of terror and we pray for their loved ones who are suffering as we go from day to day.