by Tom Kando
A mes chers Csaba, Charlie, Paul, Rie et tous les autres Parisiens et Francais que j’ai eu l’honneur et le plaisir de connaitre, toute ma vie:
Nous sommes profondément tristes. Nous pleurons pour la plus merveilleuse cathédrale du monde, au sein de la plus belle ville sur terre.
Cette tragédie renforce l’amour éternel que le monde sent envers la France, la ville lumière, sa cathédrale, la beauté et la richesse incomparable de leur histoire. C’est à l’occasion de telles tragédies que nous réalisons nos vrais sentiments, notre amour et admiration pour ce que cette église symbolise - la beauté et la bonté, les valeurs éternelles et universelles. Sachez que des millions d’Américains sont aussi profondément touchés par ce désastre que les Parisiens. Aujourd’hui, nous sommes tous des Parisiens.
Translation: To my dear Csaba, Charlie, Paul, Rie and all the other Parisians and Frenchmen whom I have had the honor and the pleasure to know, all my life: We are profoundly sad. We cry for the most marvelous cathedral in the world, at the core of the most beautiful city on earth. This tragedy reinforces the eternal love which the world feels for France, the City of Lights, its cathedral, the beauty and the incomparable richness of their history. It is on the occasion of such tragedies that one realizes one’s true feelings, one’s love and admiration for what this church symbolizes - beauty and goodness, the eternal and universal values. Know that millions of Americans are as profoundly touched by this disaster as are the people of Paris. Today, we are all Parisians.
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13 comments:
Wonderful tribute Tom... such a way with words you have... so glad you could share America's empathy and grief with them... in such a genuine feeling way!
I couldn't bring myself to read much about it today. I have too many of my best childhood memories, and one of my most profound memories of being a mom, that are tied up in this utterly holy and awesome place... My heart hurts so much right now. A thousand years of human ingenuity, damaged so badly....
Amen Brother. However, I have no doubt the Cathedral will be rebuilt to be better then ever. Also the history of the Great Cathedral can never be lost. It is only interrupted for a short time. Many beautiful churches have been destroyed by the wrath of fire including those heavily damaged during wars from even
before the Middle Ages to present time. Our own American planes had to drop thousands of bombs in Europe to slow the German advances in WWII.
Yes, I also am saddened by the loss of such a unique and historic site. However, let's consider the positive things to come; that is,a gorgeous new Cathedral. It will continue to carry the same symbolism that Catholics relish. The past history can never be lost; and, tourists from all over the globe will continue to flock to the site.
Our Lady is not dead. May she return in full glory.
Tom Bridges
Thanks, Tom. for your uplifting words.
Dani: You put your finger on it:I am flooded by memories, all the times we visited the grand old lady, our beautiful experiences under the nave, or on top of the bell tower right under the giant bells, or cavorting on the slanted roof and the balcony, trying to touch the gargoyles...
Merci, Tom. Of course, like everyone, I share the hurt. But at this stage, let's not forget that the stone part has not been destroyed or yet been determined to have been weakened beyond repair. The stone is the heart of the cathedral, the major part of what we see. Much has been lost, repairs will take years. But,unless we get more bad news,the stone front towers, the stone arches inside forming the awesome nave, the stone flying buttresses outside and especially those in the back, these are what we see and admire most and they should remain their authentic selves. Two memories of Notre Dame: As a student I would sometimes go down the Boul' Mich' to Notre Dame, take the small stairs up to the top of the north tower that were then widely open to the public, and read some book on the sloping roof while enjoying the view, the sun, and the fresh air. Also,while once again enjoying the view from the back with all the flying buttresses, a bus of Welsh students, obviously a choir on a tour, stopped by briefly; they all poured out and sang a beautiful welsh song, only to quickly climb back in and resume their travel. (With all cathedral, never fail to check the back and its flying buttresses; It is often the most impressive part.)
My eyes are so blurred frim tears I can barely see the letters I am typing. So well said Tom, thank you for putting my feelings into words.
Thanks a million, Tom, for your very touching words. Living here, you have a tendency to take the town's jewels for granted. Until a drama like this profoundly shakes you up. I also feel anger: How could a rubbish fire possibly start and spread in such a highly protected , valued place?!
aussi je suis tre triste pour Notre Dame!
So beautifully written Tom, so many tears have spilled into the streets - it was such a shock today and will be for many years to come . Thank you for sharing. Blessings to all
Terribly, terribly sad
Cher Tom,
Un énorme désastre! Je garde de très calmes et douloureux souvenirs de mon enfance à Paris quand j’étais enfant-de-coeur après la guerre.
Sitting on top of the Cathedral with you and Leah is one of my best memories. I may have whined on the climb up, but I'm so grateful you showed us that view.
Thank you, Cedric, Sylvia, Csaba, Agnes, Sue, Clarice, Claude and Dani
What Cedric (and Claude and Dani) write is exactly what I mean! The flood of memories! I too, remember the days when walking all the way up was not a problem, not terribly crowded and regulated; I sat on the slanted metal rooftop with my then 8 and 10-year old daughters. We even played a bit at sliding down those metal plates, joking that if we picked up too much speed we might flip over the edge of the tower (an impossible scenario, as the balcony/walkways on top of the towers are wide and perfectly safe...)
Other memories include waving at my wife, who thought the better of it and waited for us at a sidewalk cafe on the Rive Gauche, in sight of the towers, but of course too far to be able to identify us...
Just a few years ago, my wife, my children, grandchildren and son-in-law walked down from our hotel behind the Pantheon to the Ile de la Cité at night, sneaking up on the grandiosely lit-up Queen of Cathedrals from behind...
What shocks and hurts the most is this: To me, Notre Dame is supposed to be forever. Revolutions and World Wars come and go, I grow up as a teenager roaming the streets of Paris, sixty years later I am an old man in California, the world changes in many un- recognizable ways, but Notre Dame is forever...She is not supposed to change! She can never die. That’s the way it’s supposed to be! This fire was not supposed to happen.
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