It was true for me too. The first landmark I sought out when in Paris over thirty-four years ago now was Notre Dame.
I was with my college teacher education buddy Karen who talked me into backpacking Europe for a month on an Interrail pass which was the equivalent to the Eurail pass that allowed unlimited train travel but at about half the price.
We had lived in England outside of London the two months prior for a student teaching stint. When we went into town to purchase the Interrail passes, the English clerk looked us up and down. Interrail passes were for legal residents of Europe and we had American written all over us. We gave our temporary address in Bishop’s Stortford and held our breaths. He approved our applications and we breathed out and smiled. We would be on our way!
I’m glad I did this backpacking thing when I was twenty-one. Our average stay in each city was three days and then we were on the move. It was exhausting in the end but worth it!
Our last stop was Paris before crossing the English Channel from Calais to Dover by ferry and then heading back to London where we had stored our suitcases with friends. After suitcase pick up, it was Heathrow and home. I remember thinking in that last week’s time I had been in three major world cities: Rome, Paris, and London. The entire trip was a whirlwind of sights and sounds and food and drink and people and experiences.
Notre Dame would be our final cathedral on this historic and cultural tour. After offloading our backpacks in our room at the hostel, we went to find Notre Dame.
Where is Notre Dame? “Ou’ est Notre Dame?” we asked several people along the way. Not everyone was friendly. Then one elderly man smiled and indicated he would walk us there. He actually became a little too friendly but he did get us to our destination.
Soon Notre Dame loomed up before us. Awesome. Not the overused slang but the state of being in awe, of wonder, of respect.
The takeaway for me was the Rose Windows. Thirty-four years later, I still remember those windows and how I felt this great beauty and an appreciation for the artisans and a connection with that which is greater than my singular self.
I am glad these windows survived the fire yesterday, and I am sorry for what was lost. But it makes me think. Ou’ est Notre Dame? That signature of beauty and appreciation and history and connection that while being reflected there at that time lives here within me.
As in any loss like a death we are reminded of life and aim to relate to others more deeply. This was evident in how the firefighters worked together and in how the people of Paris came together, singing.
Ou’ est Notre Dame? It lives in our hearts.
article photo: Gerhard Bogner from Pixabay