It took a week
before I could even link the horror in Paris with my little site. Then, in my head, I formulated a tribute to Paris, But it turned out, I had written it, last January. http://www.georgevecsey.com/home/nous-sommes-tous-francais I cannot write another one about the deep shuddering joy of being in the City of Light On a Friday evening. One ex-pat friend, Living in La France Profonde, wrote me, “No one does life better than the French.” That’s why they are targets, he added. Another friend is flying over, next week. “It'll be my little contribution to saying %$&# you to the murderers who tried to take the city away from those of us who cherish it and what it represents.” I won't write about the narrow streets Or the aroma of coq au vin in the mist. Better I write about the French people Who spoke to us in English after 9/11 and made room for us on the Metro. Now I watch survivors like the beautiful couple on Anderson Cooper, the woman's face haunted the young man (a model, I looked it up), volunteering sympathy for Syrian migrants, who have their own misery. Another man lost his lovely wife In the music club and wrote a tribute to her, And promised to live without hatred. Is it possible?
JEFF FROM JERSEY, YES NEW JERSEY
11/20/2015 09:38:14 pm
There have been many examples of Profiles In Courage. With his letter to those who killed his wife, Antoine Leiris joins this legion of brave individuals who have taken a stand. His words will become, no, have become a part of French history and of being human.
Brian Savin
11/20/2015 09:52:53 pm
I have a friend named John who has visited me every month or so for the last few years. He comes with a holy book and often with a friend. All my life I have welcomed John's predecessors as well as the youngsters who do mission for another group. I believe in domestic mission work. I respect them and profit by their visits. Everyone of them I have met I am certain is a force for good. John has been special. He is an older Black man who I suspect has seen much in his life that informs his thoughtfulness and intellect. He truly believes that there is an evil force in this world that can't be reckoned with. Remember the stories about the Devil from childhood? John believes they're true in essence and spirit. The more I listen to John the more drawn I am to his sophisticated simple beliefs. He asked me recently, what do I think about his view that there is Evil in the world. I said, John, it's certainly hard to argue with. That's my view. I'm not built to abide moral relativism. And I don't think any human is.
Sam Toperoff
11/21/2015 06:04:58 am
So wise and good of you to put Antoine Leiris' challenge at the top of your essay. It is one of those rare, rare moments in life when true words are acts of courage that will sparkle like stars to guide anyone who chooses the difficult path to human transcendence. And of course such a path is a choice. When I first read it and he said he has no time for murderers because his son was waking up from his nap, I lost it.
Mendel
11/23/2015 02:19:43 am
"The way to defeat a death cult is with an affirmation of Life. No?”
ThorALarsen
11/24/2015 10:52:29 am
Thor A. Larsen( [email protected] )11/24/2015 08:44:19
George Vecsey
11/24/2015 10:57:23 am
Thank you all for your comments and the reaffirmation of life. What we feel about Paris goes beyond the basic senses and into an appreciation for being.
Gene Palumbo
11/25/2015 01:52:44 pm
Antoine Leiris's words brought this to mind: Comments are closed.
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