Sadness and Gratitude

Bonjour mes amis,

Yes, I'm here. Hope you missed me. ;)

Actually, Thursday I couldn't bring myself to post. I try to keep this site happy and positive, and that day I learned that a friend had lost her teenage son the day before. Incredibly sad story, very unexpected death, and this family has already experienced enough of this kind of thing, so I just couldn't get right with coming here and posting. I know I should have. I know that there are still things to be grateful for, and I am very grateful that this particular family has many, many friends who love them and are supporting them. But I was at a loss for words really. Then yesterday got away from me. But today I'm back, and today my friend is burying her son, and I am still deeply saddened for their loss. But I need to post. So here I am. Today I want to note my gratitude for:

1) the love and support that I know is surrounding my friends who are going through this terrible time
2) the technology that allows us to know what is going on and as a result, be there for each other even if it's just virtually
3) Mendelssohn's Italian Symphony
4) this city that still takes my breath away
5) Finally, Le Baiser, aka The Kiss by Auguste Rodin. This is my favorite piece of art in Paris. It is so beautiful, it brings tears to my eyes every time I see it. It is the most beautiful non-living thing I have ever seen. How can marble toes convey so much emotion?

And you? I hope you are finding things to be grateful for today.
bisous