1. Paris Autumn 2003, when the falling leaves have covered the whole surface of le Parc de Tuilerie, I find my Mom in the lobby of a petit hotel in Paris, Hotel de 7e Art located in le 4 Marais near la gare de Saint Paul. The owner is a big fan of movies. In the lobby, in each hotel room, posters and pictures of stars are displayed. Above the fireplace, on the mantlepiece, you find a figure of Charlie Chaplin, a great movie star that I adore, and miniature classic cars and negro singers. Mom is seated in front of the poster of "Gone With the Wind". She is planning to to go to le Marche aux Puces in Vanves. Moody and smooth French pop is on the radio and it's a beautiful morning! In a small basket is some toasted bread, fresh croissants, French baguette, cheese slices, butter and jam. A glass of grapefruit juice and a nice cup of coffee are served by Mme Matilde. Taking a bite of the croissant, tears are welling up in her eyes. At that moment a certain sight appears in her mind. She got a call from the owner of my rental home one evening, saying,
She hired a taxi right away and, all by herself, she went straight to Tokoname where I lived. It took more than six hours to get there and it was almost midnight when she arrived. She was forced to stay overnight at a shabby hotel in order to cremate my body the next day. She hadn't eaten anything since the day before, and she tried to have breakfast to raise her spirits. Unfortunately, it was the most horrible breakfast in her whole life! Terrible toast, a boiled egg and bitter coffee.
she says to herself and she sobs. I'm positive that God felt pity and prepared this marvelous breakfast gin Parish to make up for that terrible morning. I think that all the happiness and unhappiness are equal in everyone's life. She never seemed to stop weeping while having the croissant. Fortunately, no one in the lobby saw her. I'm hoping from the bottom of my heart, this fascinating city Paris will give her the strength to go forward. |