52 Photos Project: Horizon





 This is an "iconic shot" I took
 from the restaurant in Musee d'Orsay
with Montmartre and Sacre Coeur
on the horizon.

I know. 
You've seen this view hundreds of times.
Everyone who's stood in that spot
with camera in hand
has seen the potential.

But it's the memory that counts. 




I treasure images from this memorable jaunt in Paris.
This particular trip, I was with my best friend
and my mother-in-law for over three weeks,
one of them spent soaking up Paris
from our home base in the Left Bank's
6th Arrondissement. 

My m-i-l, Jean, was a gifted artist
who'd come to her passion late in life,
after working for virtually all her working life
for the Illinois Central Railroad.

She loved the impressionists
and had seen work at museums in the U.S.
but never dreamed she'd go to Europe.
Her son, my husband, wanted to make that 
unimagined dream happen,
so he designated me as tour director
and provided the bankroll.
He wanted her to go,
but not with him.
It was left to me to broaden her horizon.

I will always be grateful to him for that,
because as it turns out,
we had three wonderful weeks together,
Jean and I (and Gail),
the last carefree weeks of Jean's life.

Shortly after returning home,
Jean was diagnosed with late-stage renal cancer
and died only a year later.

The marriage died 
about the same time,
though the cancer it suffered
was of a different form altogether.
But that's a different story.


Comments

Anonymous said…
And never having stood in that spot, even without a camera, it's a lovely new view for me!
Nonnie said…
Never been there, and most likely, will never be, so I love the view! so sorry about the death of your mother-in-law and your marriage. It is marvelous that you were with her to enjoy her dream come true.
CherryPie said…
Wow!! I love it, what an amazing photo!!

It brings back memories of my recent visit to Paris. I hope to be going back soon.
Alexa said…
I traveled in Italy with my older brother after he was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer. He put up an heroic 5-year battle before the cancer won, and I will always be grateful that we had that special time together. You must be glad that you had the chance to experience Paris with your mother-in-law—those memories will always be with you.
Bella Cirovic said…
Meri, what a beautiful photo and story to match. I'm so glad you had that chance to spend probably the best time of her life with your mother in law.
Thank you for sharing.

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