It’s chilly and very overcast here, dropping rain now and then. But haven’t you always heard that there is just something about Paris in the rain? It’s true! It makes ducking into a patisserie for a delicious treat and coffee even more delightful, and all this architecture, some covered in gold, is stunning against the palette of charcoal found in an angry sky.

It could also be that nothing – NOTHING – will disuade me from enjoying this city. 🙂

Yesterday we experienced the Metro, got a good lay of the land while we walked the city, and spent the afternoon in the Musée d’Orsay, seeing age-old sculptures and beautiful impressionist paintings. When we walked out, we went across one of the bridges over the Seine.

Perhaps you’ve heard of the locks. Here in Paris (and also in other cities, such as Florence) couples can “lock their love” on the railings of the bridge and throw the key away into the river. You’ll be hearing more about this where we’re concerned, but yesterday, we just walked across taking in the sight of all those locks. Then I got close enough to read some up close (most people write their names or initials on them). The very first one I read said this:

I read it, then read it again. Then I just stood there, stunned. Kevin was busy doing his own reading, and realized I hadn’t moved.

“What’s the matter?” he asked.

“See that big gold one right there? That says ‘Hunter & Marisa’?”

“Yeah, so?”

“That’s Emmie’s good friend, Marisa!”

Then we both stood there stunned.

Through the wonder of technology, I was able to snap a picture and send it to her later. I remembered her telling me about her trip to Paris about a year ago, and while I hadn’t even thought to specifically look for her lock, it was a delight for me to show her that her love was still locked up tight in a land far away.

You know, we’re never really all that removed from one another. Our worlds collide all the time, if you think about it. We can seem far away from one another, but our lives are intertwined through blood, memories, experiences, and beliefs. Even if we never meet, you’re contributions to the world will effect me as I experience it. I wouldn’t be visiting Paris at all, if that were not the case! Sometimes, though, you get an in-your-face reminder right from your very own world that reaches you in a place you’d never expect it, and you realize afresh that it IS a small world after all…that we are not meant to live as lone wolves in this society, but we are part of something much greater than ourselves because of each other.

Heading out with my own love today, possibly to the Eiffel Tower, or the Louvre, or maybe even Versailles. It doesn’t really matter, as long as he’s with me to experience this great big, very small, world.

“Let brotherly love continue.” Hebrews  13:1 ESV

“We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.” Romans 12:5 NLT

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