Enough

In February 2008 I was diagnosed with Stage I Breast Cancer. Two more surgeries followed. And six and a half weeks of radiation.

I am blessed. My doctors caught it early. My prognosis was excellent. And I have come out stronger and more resilient.

My boyfriend at the time told me that after I finished radiation, he would take me on a trip to wherever I wanted to go. Hmm. “Someplace tropical . . . . or Paris,” I thought.

I chose Paris.

Even before I stepped foot in the City of Love, I loved Paris. I dreamed about “us” in Paris . . . walking each morning to the corner patisserie for chocolate croissants and cafe au lait. Kissing on the metro. Holding hands as we strolled down Rue Cler. And sipping wine at Les Place des Vosges.

But what I wanted, what I longed for, most of all, was to see the Eiffel Tower. I collected Eiffel Towers. I was (how do I say it?) obsessed with the Eiffel Tower.

So my charmant 6′ 5″ boyfriend made lunch reservations at 58 Tour Eiffel, one of the three restaurants located on the Eiffel Tower.

I was in heaven. I excitedly told all my friends. Okay, I bragged. Who wouldn’t?

We landed in Paris on a Monday morning and got settled into our beautiful apartment in La Marais.

We had decided to save our special lunch for the second day, hoping to sleep off jet lag so that we might fully enjoy the experience.

The first day passed quickly. Day Two finally arrived. I put on a favorite dress, and we hopped on the Metro, then got off and walked the 5 or 6 blocks to Lunch in Heaven.

After a couple of blocks we rounded a corner and voila!

I was Dorothy and I had just laid eyes on the Emerald City. I quickened my pace and left my city-tromping b.f. clipping at my heels like Toto.

Finally, with just a block to go, I stopped and asked him to take this photo of me. He told me later that I looked (at that moment) like I was going to spontaneously combust.

View from 58 Tour Eiffel

I can’t tell you now what we had for lunch that day. It probably involved seafood and an expensive bottle of Sancerre. Other than that, all I remember is that I was blissfully happy. And that, somehow, is enough.

13 thoughts on “Enough”

  1. You did look radiantly happy in the picture in your favorite red dress. How wonderful to have that after your illness. The picture of the Eiffel Tower was gorgeous. Thanks for sharing…be well…

  2. Lovely post and I hope you’re back to full fitness now. Shall I make you really jealous??? I lived that close to the Eiffel Tower for six months in my twenties 🙂 However, I was pretty skint so although I had a fantastic time over there, I couldn’t afford to go up, even to the first level! I’ve put that right since, though, but I’ve never had a lunch like the one you had.

  3. Beautiful story, now I know the reason why you always look happy and beautiful, because you are blessed:)
    Life is a gift of God, so there is no reason for me to be sad or regret of everything.
    You make me strong, I Love you, Mama!
    Kisses and Hugs^.^

  4. Ahhh, another person that feels that ultimate, blissful, content, warm, glowing feeling just from having your feet in Paris. I know that exact feeling that you described. It’s like the cosmos all clicked at that moment and you are in a swirl of lavender scent and European sirens and color and….I could go on.
    I am glad you got to experience that, and hopeful that you will again soon. (Keep your fingers crossed for me too) 🙂

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