Tragic Loss

Took say I was stunned when I turned on the news Monday,
Would be an understatement.
Notre Dame had caught fire!!!!

I quickly texted my sister,
Called my mother to tell her,
And sat back to stare in disbelieve at the flames devouring happy memories.

I lived on the Belgium-Lux-French border for many years,
until I became a teenager!
Paris was a half day commute back then,
But even at that,
I was in Paris at least once a month!
And each trip always had me either at Notre Dame,
Or one of the hotels overlooking the plaza.

I danced with the two Princesses Sophia's there!
Learned to eat Greek food,
Drink Ouzo,
Chat with Christian Dior,
And dance in a line of guys on a tabletop,
Shouting "Opa!"

The rest of those years were spent investigating the catacombs,
Studying the Roman Christian Church archaeology  UNDER Notre Dame!
(never knew that there was an ancient church there - did you!?!?)
Yeah, I had a weird childhood!

And the flames burned for an hour and a half,
On rthe SKYNET coverage.
I turned it off as the spire came down.
I quietly said a prayer ....
That no Arab had been so stupid as to have done this!
( There were 12 attacks on Christian Churches in the previous 24 hours.)
So .......

And I wondered about this - me!
What I have I become?
Compassion for those whom have actively sought to kill me?
I still have a price on my head,
For my response to Bernard's murder!
Not my proudest moment ....
.
At least I would still take out that POC Radic,
Mass murderer,
Executioner of my cousin Bernard - for being a NATO Medic!
Very hard to forgive that.
Very hard to forgive being made the last male in my greater family!
Very hard to forgive what Bernard's murder did to the family!
To all whom knew him.

I guess I am feeling the loss today.
Loss of my youthful memories,
The hole left by my Uncle's son,  then family, then Uncle losses!
And one Aunt I fear in the near future!

Then there will be one Aunt and me.
Sigh
So many memories of Notre Dame, now gone.
My birth place  gone.
Soon, maybe me too?

Ah!
What a morbid little post this has become!
Time to take a nap!
Sip some fine tea.
And make something to eat!