Sorry, after dealing with loneliness yesterday, I just learned about 15 minutes ago, that a friend of mine just lost his 21 year old son in a car accident, and I'm really devastated. Of course such accidents happen daily everywhere in the world, but it seems so unfair (as if death was fair, of course...) that tears can easily come to your eyes when it happens to someone you know. I remembered taking this photo a few weeks ago (at the Pont de l'Alma, just above the tunnel where Diana had a car accident) and, well, as ridiculous as it sounds, it's my way of thinking of my friend right now.
Thanks Monica. It must be almost impossible to overcome such a drama. But he's got other children and life must go on, at least for them. I wonder where he finds the strength.
ReplyDeleteTerribly sad and unfair. "Devastated" is the right word. May his friends and family be brave even if I doubt I would in such a dramatic situation.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a perfectly fitting photo. Any picture of Lady Di makes me feel the loss of people who...we have lost in sudden ways. The shrine at Place de l'Alma created by public action, not by any formal process, is a good place to mourn, and think about everyone else.
ReplyDeleteMy sympathies to your friend, his family, and all those who lost their young friend.
Such horrible news. My condolences to you, your friend and his family.
ReplyDeleteIn time to come maybe the parents will think that their beloved changed his clothes and will be experiencing life alongside them or in another room.
ReplyDeleteThese last two photos have been painful and thought provoking but painting life as it really is. We must never loose sight of how fragile life is and we must, as is often said, grab it by both hands and give it a good go but always with gratitude.
Bonne santé et bonne année tous le monde.
What a terrible tragedy for your friend and his family. While, as you say, they will go on, there will always be a hole in their hearts. Sending prayers for them from New Mexico. May they find the strength to bear their sorrow.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about the terrible loss of your friend's son. I wish you all peace and comfort. Hugs from Australia
ReplyDeleteDeb xx
The sudden loss of any young life is particularly tragic, seemingly more so at this time of year. I think the picture is a fitting tribute to your friends son, and reminds us all of the senseless waste of life that happens year round on our roads.
ReplyDeleteI'm so terribly sorry to hear about your friend's son. Please accept my deepest sympathy.
ReplyDeleteEric, profound sympathies for you and for your friend. My stepdaughter's beau, with whom we had celebrated Christmas Eve, learned late Christmas day that his mother had died. She was 90 years old and under hospice care so he knew the time was coming but it is still tough to deal with, especially during the holidays.
ReplyDeleteBonjour Eric. I've never posted here before - just another lurker -but I know Paris well and enjoy your photos immensely. My best friend lost her only son a week after he graduated from college, and I know that the pain doesn't go away; it just becomes easier to bear. No one seems to have responded to your comment about loneliness on Christmas, but that's something a lot of us without families can understand. Thank you again for the pleasure your column brings, and the smiles on our faces when we see photos of our old friend Paris. Bonne année à tous.
ReplyDeleteMay they find the strength to bear their sorrow...well said Mrs. Vandertramp. That is a survivor philosophy. Thank you
ReplyDeleteMy sympathies to you, Eric and to your friend and his family..
I'm so sorry to hear about this tragedy. My condolences to your friend and his family, and you, Eric.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry, Eric. Your tribute is fitting. We don't get over things like this, nor should we. We incorporate them into our lives and we move on, keeping them in our hearts.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear your sad news, Eric. I know exactly how you feel; sad and helpless and feeling so badly for your friends.
ReplyDeleteBut you are right, life will go on. People somehow have the will to continue to live a life even after the sadness of losing a child. I have two very close friends who each lost a grown child at way too young an age, and they have both managed to find joy in the life they have.
They will never forget, but as time passes, it becomes easier to bear. Please accept my sympathy for yourself and your friends at this sad time.
Your friend is fortunate he has you as a friend. My dad died in a motorcycle accident when I was quite young and yes, though "time" did ease the pain, the memory of his love and being are what made/make the pain bearable. I hope that in the days to come you and your friend and his family may find strength and peace. My sympathies to you all. I am truly sorry.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely tribute Eric and I'm sorry for your friend's loss. He is lucky to have you as support as I am sure that this will be a long healing process.
ReplyDeleteI offer a prayer.
ReplyDeleteKisses.
I'm SO sorry, Eric. My thoughts goes to Paris today.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry, Eric. You want to ask "Why?," and there's just no answer to that. Hope your friend and his other children can hold each other up—they're in my prayers today.
ReplyDeleteEric, so sorry to hear of this sad news. I send prayers and hugs to this young man's family and friends.
ReplyDeleteMay his memory be for a blessing.
Sorry to hear this news. I guess I tend to think of Paris as a fun and beautiful place where nothing bad happens. But it's a real city with real problems. I can't say that I'll pray for you as that's not my style but I will send positive thoughts in your direction!
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for this.
ReplyDeleteEver since I became a teacher of college freshmen, I have learned how widespread these traffic fatalities are. Every semester I have a student mourning a loved one and it's tragic and a bit unnerving to me.
Stay safe and I'm sending every thought to this young person's family.
Dear Eric, we are so sorry for you and your friend's loss. There are no words that will make anyone feel better at this time, but I wish you peace, comfort, and in time, joy in remembering this young man's life. But for now, our prayers are with you and your family and friends. Thank you for honoring your friend this way.
ReplyDeleteEric, condolences to you and your friend's family on their tragic loss. The hole in their heart will never completely close but with love, time and good memories the edges will smooth out just a little. This is a beautiful tribute to your friend and a reminder to all that tomorrow is promised to no one. Sending virtual hugs, peace and love from Connecticut.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your loss and the loss of your friend and his family. Losing a child is perhaps the most painful of all losses.
ReplyDeleteEric, it's humbling and an honor that you would confide in us this tragic personal news. Although we are 'just' online connections, connected we are -- and hopefully in some minute way, our being here can help.
ReplyDeleteI send all my prayers for you and your friends. Pain can come so unexpectedly. I hope for peace for all of you and for the willingness to look for unforeseen blessings which never seem like they could exist in the midst of that pain, but which often do.
ReplyDeleteEric - I am so sorry for your loss - my prayers go out to you, your friend, and all those affected by this tragedy.
ReplyDeleteOMG what a tragedy. When something like this happens my mind gets all Buddhist on me with philosophical concepts regarding reincarnation. You know, some estimates report that there are between 350 million to perhaps over one billion Buddhists throughout the world. They can't all be wrong with their concept of reincarnation. I guess, in my mind, I think the young man deserves another chance at life. In Christianity, they would argue with that, and say that he has been called to heaven. It is important that your friend has a lot of support right now -- difficult times are ahead.
ReplyDeleteEric, please give your friend my heart felt most sincere condolences. Your photo du jour with the black & white roses is very befitting.
I'm so very sorry for you and your friend. You'll both be in my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for all your nice words. I'm not the one who suffers, but it feels good to know that so many people from around the world care.
ReplyDeleteEric, I so sympathize. My heart goes out to your friend. Ironically, on Christmas Eve, I learned that the 28-year-old son of a friend of mine had been murdered in the middle of the night. There is so much beauty in the world, but it is intermingled with tremendous pain.
ReplyDeleteMy heart aches for all involved. I have a daughter who is 21 and can imagine how you, and your friend and his family must be feeling. Hugs to all. I will be sending prayers during this sad time.
ReplyDeleteI hope you and your friend both know that there is a community of us out here in the blogosphere who are sending you our most heart-deep love and support.
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ReplyDeleteLife is not to grumble and complain-
ReplyDeleteIt’s just meant to rejoice.
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