Yesterday it was if Paris knew it was our last day and showered us literally with gifts all through the day. We felt as if we both received personal messages (I may share mine later) as we spent our last morning in Paris at Pére Lachaise visiting and photographing some of the graves there. I finally managed to find the graves Gertrude Stein, Oscar Wilde, and Moliére after having searched without success on past visits.
Later when the rain sent us running for cover, we made our way to the Metro and found ourselves on a rooftop overlooking Paris just as the sky went wild with a light and cloud show that had everyone within viewing range watching in amazement.
Everyone, but the young woman you see in the photograph above. I took a series of shots as the clouds shifted and rolled and she never looked up … not even once. If you look below, you can see where her attention was so completely focused.
I know whatever was on her phone might have been really important and she may have been dealing with a horrible emergency or hopefully reading some good news, but to not even notice that this was happening all around her … what a thing to miss!
It made me a bit sad when I reviewed these photographs because I remember when I was that woman and I can’t help but think about what I might have missed when everything else seemed more important than just sitting for a moment in awareness and appreciation.
Cornwall is calling us back and we will be leaving Paris today with some new memories and gratitude for having had a chance to walk its streets again.
Goodbye Paris!
Gifts Of The Journey 
Gorgeous photos, thank you for sharing them….Paris is one my favorite places in the world.
I always wonder that as much as I am grateful for my iphone, that it’s easy to get caught up in technology and lose the joy of experiencing what is around us.
Lovely, Lovely, Lovely atmostpheri pictures of Paris.
Thankyou for allowing me to travel back to London
and Paris vicariously through your travel.
Also , through the Blog I have enjoyed “getting to know”
your sister.
I think you are my favorite photographer.
Thanks for teaching me how to ” see” better.
Thanks for inspiring me,
David
Beautiful. And I’ve been that woman, too. Sometimes it takes a lot to be there in the moment.
I’m glad you’ve had a wonderful time.
Wow , where was this rooftop.. ? I am going to be very honest .. quite a few years ago , I could of been that woman .. I would not of been interested .. so I most probably have missed loads of things, but not anymore.
Wow, the Eiffel Tower shot is fantastic!
I appreciate the beauty around me every day and am always grateful. Maybe it’s a function of age, but I don’t want to miss a moment. Thanks so much for sharing Paris with us.
Great photos, thanks!
4th shot down, gobsmacking. I’d crop it a bit at the top maybe, but it’s stll totally gobsmacking.
So easy to miss life as it passes one by…even though I am working long hours now, I still do a little thing every day, even if it’s just 10 mins, to keep the kind of air i had under my wings in the last few months fed, nurtured, focused on. So important.
The times you missed may help the times you have in front of you be paid better attention – so it may be a good thing, on balance, that you had this time in your past.
Perhaps the woman was writing:
“Hi hunny — Despite how exceptionally beautiful it is here in Paris, I want you to know that none of this matters compared to you and I want you to know that I miss you and look forward to the next time we can be together.”
I’ve “been that woman” when my brother was hit by a car and eventually died a horrible death.
I’ve “been that woman” when a friend of a friend needed someone to talk to when he was seriously considering suicide.
I’ve “been that woman” when a co-worker delivered a healthy baby girl and sadly had no family or friends close by to talk to and share the moment.
Perhaps we judge without knowing all the details and collecting all our facts. I know I do, and I often jump to erroneous conclusions because of that…
Suzanne ~ I am with you on the love of an iPhone and technology in general it can take be a helpmate or take over our lives if we are not careful. Glad you enjoyed the Paris photos … I think I took about 4000 + during the seven days we were there. I had a glance at your space while I was gone and noticed that you’ve been traveling too. I mean to go back for a proper look in a few days when my sister goes home to Alaska.
David ~ As always you are such a dear, sweet man, and so good for what ails me. I also have to say if we are talking about inspiration and teaching moments no one does it better than you. I am so glad you enjoyed my London/Paris trips with Margaret this month it’s been whirlwind of travel to be sure. I plan to pop over to your new blog too so I can see more of your amazing photography. I am loving my Canon G11 with the same enthusiasm that you had for yours when you were here. Margaret has the G10 and taught me a few quick tricks that you may enjoy if you don’t already know them. I’ll share them in a post later.
Writing To Survive/Jennifer ~ Thanks for taking time to comment and I do wish you would include a link to your blog. You have some fine writing happening over there that people should see.
Anne ~ It is so interesting that most of us go through much of our lives so distracted we can’t see moments like the one here. I will reveal the rooftop in a blog post soon. It is totally accessible to the public and it is free!
Tina ~ It’s difficult to get a bad shot of the Eiffel Tower especially when nature sends backdrops like the one that day. All I needed to do was to stay focused and hold the camera steady.
Jayne ~ I always love the way you write about the things you see over at your place. I am with you on the “ function of age “ piece and I wish I had understood it all a bit sooner.
MJ McIlhon ~ You will never know unless I tell you just how much seeing your comments about my writing or photography mean to me. Having seen “ my work “ in the early days, it pleases me that you have a chance to see a more mature, developed side, 26 years later. I can close my eyes and remember some of our talks in your office even now. Thanks so much for those early lessons and for still being someone who makes me think about my world a bit differently.
Mariellen ~ I actually thought of you when I was writing this especially after your last comment about your travel schedule for work. I got dizzy and out of breath reading it. I am glad you are aware of it and taking care not to give all to your work life. On a selfish note, even though I know how busy you are and understand the need, I miss reading your posts. As for the images, I know I broke some serious rules with so much sky, but it was just so amazing that I wanted to include it all. Thanks too for your welcome home email, Mariellen it was very thoughtful and much appreciated by this weary traveler.
Steven ~ As for what she was writing and my jumping to conclusions, I thought I addressed that in the paragraphs below and I am sorry that you seem to have missed it. I had hoped I was being clear about both.
What I was trying to say had more to do with me really because as I am sure you already know, people who trigger a response in us are sometimes just mirrors for our own issues … n’est-ce pas?
“ I know whatever was on her phone might have been really important and she may have been dealing with a horrible emergency or hopefully reading some good news, but to not even notice that this was happening all around her … what a thing to miss!
It made me a bit sad when I reviewed these photographs because I remember when I was that woman and I can’t help but think about what I might have missed when everything else seemed more important than just sitting for a moment in awareness and appreciation.”
What gorgeous expansive images of that wonderful city!! And – I think we were all..once-upon-a-time – THAT woman. Too busy with life’s minutiae to take the time to stop and look and see!!!
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I adore Paris. I visited many years ago. I really enjoyed seeing your photos!
You are right – we shouldn’t get so lost in our mobiles etc. that we forget the beauty of the world around us. That’s the thought I’ll take with me from here!
wonderful, wonderful pictures, both old and new!!
What lovely, amazing photos! I loved what you captured in that moment. and can remember the times I was that woman, letting the good stuff pass by. Thanks for the gentle reminder to look around and don’t miss the good stuff!