Monday, December 26, 2011

Loneliness


I know it's not the happiest photo to post after a rather festive weekend, but I was so moved by this elderly lady, that I could not help but taking a photo. She caught my attention because I first saw her digging into a public garbage can located at the entrance of the passage where I live. She then walked into the passage, where I took this shot and I found her to look very lonely.

22 comments:

  1. She doesn't look lonely to me. My grand Auntie 80+ y/o use to go out all the time by herself. I thought that it was great that she didn't need a cane or walker. She was so independent. And as far as lonely was concerned, she had a whole house full of people in her home. She wouldn't buy new shoes because, she said, that they would hurt her feet. So, perhaps, if you were to see her, you might have thought that she was poor. But quite the contrary, she had tons of money in the stock market.

    Okay, the trash part is sad. But this might give you a different perspective. When I lived on Park Ave. in NYC, my next-door neighbor was a certain grumpy old Lady Rothschild of the Rothschild family. She was about 80+ y/o and sometimes I would see her digging in the garbage can at the corner of Park Avenue just a few doors from our building. I was very young then, in my 20's. I thought to myself, she's crazy -- not only grumpy. =)

    Merci Eric for the fond memories -- your photos always do that to me.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Although Christmas is a time of happiness, it is certainly one of the saddest times for many people. It is a time that is often remind people that no longer are. It is a time when the cold makes the homeless happen worse. Those who are not in this situation is at this time when we have to put our grain of rice.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I hope Lois is right and she's rich and happy, just independent. What is telling, to me, is how your heart went out to her.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Eric, this is the PERFECT shot for this time period. At least I can completely identify with it. Xmas is the loneliest of times for many, many people.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I can't add any more to what others wrote, especially Petrea.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Happy Xmas is a myth. So many people have family issues, money, job issues... Hard to pretend and be merry. BTW, no complain about my Xmas this year. Just happy not to be in Homs.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Yes I echo Petrea's sentiments. I sobering photo but one full of tenderness.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I think that society puts so much pressure on being happy at this time of the year but the truth is not all of us can have it each year...

    To all feeling a little blue:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPoHlaBYuWI

    Enjoy...in a 'blue' way :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a beautiful image....I hope she has someone she is going home to.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love your "Passage" shots Eric. And so many people don't get to visit the Passages of Paris when they're here. A must-see, even if we find people getting in out of the cold and rain in these covered streets.

    I can relate to the loneliness that this and other holidays can bring. But agree, for me it's mostly about missing people who are no longer with us. As time passes though, their memories bring even more joy as we see their faces in things we do.

    ReplyDelete
  11. And I just got this in my email... A 50% off discount code for Zazzle calendars - "today only".

    The code to use at check-out is
    MONDAYMORNIN

    ReplyDelete
  12. Someone once told me: "Happiness is a feeling, but Joy is a state of being. It is possible to not be happy, but to be joyful." I know there are many who are lonely and all I can wish for them is joy, true joy in life.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Eric, I've been reading the Claude Izner murder mysteries set at the turn of the century. Despite the 'murder' part, these books still carry the romanticized vision of Paris. Now, I'm also reading the Cara Black mysteries set in modern Paris -- she gives details about the homeless, those living under the bridges, in the sewers and such. I find these two book series are like you:)! They help me to get a REAL picture of Paris, a balanced view. All over the world, more of us need a social conscience to NOT turn a blind eye to what's happening around us. YOU are one of those, Eric, and I'm proud to "know" you through this blog.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Elle est peut-être plus heureuse qu'on me le croit. Très bon Eric.
    Rita

    ReplyDelete
  15. Minus the digging in the garbage part, this is how I envision myself in 30 or so years.

    -buzzgirl

    ReplyDelete
  16. i think the luckiest people in the universe are the ones who have found love. i thought i had, but it wasn't true. Maybe, I hope the lady in the picture did have love in her life. But now that she is older, he might have passed away. We don't know. But the fact that she is out walking around exploring speaks volumes of her. She is in the most beautiful city of the world. She carries some shopping in her hands and she is warm.

    ReplyDelete
  17. she is not really alone as she has Eric and all of us thinking about her. the holidays can be a very rough time on so many different levels. Hoping her memories are happy ones for her.

    ReplyDelete
  18. @Lois "She was about 80+ y/o and sometimes I would see her digging in the garbage can at the corner of Park Avenue just a few doors from our building." LOL. I must confess, I already pick up a few things from the garbage when I was young too! (Not digging into cans though, like she did).

    @Trishia "They help me to get a REAL picture of Paris, a balanced view. " Yes, actually, Paris is not all romantic and beautiful... It's a big city, where it's hard to live if you don't have a lot of money, are old and not educated...

    @Buzzgirl "this is how I envision myself in 30 or so years" Funny. You envision yourself in 30 years... I find it hard to do, personally.

    @Rita "Elle est peut-être plus heureuse qu'on ne le croit"' LOL. Yes, I really can imagine she is. Surveys show that happiness is not at all related to wealth. Actually like Lois said it a couple of days ago, the French are the most pessimistic people in the world and though we are one of the 30st richest countries in the world!

    ReplyDelete
  19. An impressive mean to measure current time and life. Probably world wide.
    May the future treat her kind.


    daily athens photo

    ReplyDelete
  20. i think the luckiest people in the universe are the ones who have found love. i thought i had, but it wasn't true. Maybe, I hope the lady in the picture did have love in her life. But now that she is older, he might have passed away. We don't know. But the fact that she is out walking around exploring speaks volumes of her. She is in the most beautiful city of the world. She carries some shopping in her hands and she is warm.

    ReplyDelete
  21. The great thing about Coach Factory Kristin Op Art Handbag Golden are that it offers the same quality of materials and elegant style, but it's cheaper than other designer bags. Getting Burberry Outlet is the greatest start treating you can offer all by yourself since putting them on you are able to rather quickly glance at the amazing, appropriate combined with interestingly smart.Everyone, as being a definite ending stage while using scene Burberry keep will get spectacles.You have a Coach Factory handbag or two you expensive and exquisite taste.Coach is one of the few brands that until his Leben. Wenn picture woman for Coach Factory Online handbag shops really know to expect quality when choosing a trainer design is Homogeneity.Burberry Sale claim they licensed a photo from an agency of Bogart in the final scene of the 1942 film and simply intended to use it to illustrate "the significance and influence of Burberry fashion in society." Welcome to Coach Factory Online , Coach offers distinctive, easily recognizable, accessible luxury products that are relevant, extremely well made and provide excellent value. With the continuous development of the company is still a good Coach materials and technology of high quality, while the Coach New Arrivals is the foundation of success.

    ReplyDelete