Our lives are structured
by our memories of events.
~Joshua Foer
Ever so long ago during the summer before my senior year in high school, I decided I wanted to take French instead of a fourth year of Latin, and from the very first day in that class I fell in love with the French language, France in general, and Paris in particular. So after graduation I headed off to college and chose French as my major with the dream of being a translator at the UN one day or better still of going to live and work in Paris. However, my father’s unexpected and premature death at the end of my Freshman year at TCU changed my life in so many ways. I was heartbroken beyond all reason; I just wanted to quit school and get a job. But the combined voices of friends and my mom prevailed, and I went back to school in the fall. My mom did press me to go ahead and get a teaching certificate no matter what else I might decide to do when I graduated.
I will perpetuate your memory through all generations; therefore the nations will praise you for ever and ever. ~Psalm 45:17 ✝
**Images via Pinterest and the Internet
Sacred Touches 
it is wonderful that soon you can live part of your dream for a second time. I know it will be a great time for you all. Will miss you terribly but also will keep track of your travels via the internet.
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Thanks, V. I will miss you too, but I will send a text each day and it will make it go faster for you. Hugs, N 🙂 ❤
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Wonderful Natalie! You have me in suspense waiting to hear the rest! 🙂
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Why thank you, Nico. I hope you enjoy the upcoming chapters in my story. Hugs, N 🙂 ❤
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I just wish I shared your gift with language. I took years of French and barely squeaked by—-to this day, as I travel, I yearn so to be able to converse freely be it Italian, German, French, Spanish, Polish—-only a southern drawl comes forth—-
I’m so excited for your trip!!!
You must go to Rue Bonaparte and to the most divine macaron shop!!
I’ll send you the name
Au revoir for now mon chéri
cookie
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Thanks, Julie. I never got to teach French and so most of my ability is gone, but I remember a few things. I taught Spanish for about 20 years and after 14 years of retirement and non-use I’m losing much of that too. It’s one of those if you don’t use it you lose it.
Aging and having had a stroke isn’t helping either.
Oh I do want to know the name of the place with the divine macaroons. I hope you can remember it. Love, N 🙂 ❤
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Désolée pour vos rêves non réalisés mais vous savez bien que la vie décide souvent de notre chemin…
Il y a quelqu’un qui vous aime à Paris et serait ravie de vous voir.
Tendresse, Natalie
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Oui, Elisabeth, la vie ne vous avoir un moyen de determiner notre parcours. Combien deux que vous aimeriez recontrer. Peut-être que nous pourrions prendre des dispositions pour le déjeuner au café quelque part. Mais s’il vous plait ne vous attendez pas que ma langue française pour être bon. Si elle était pas pour mon traduire application que je ne pouvais pas parler à vous. 🙂 🙂 🙂 ❤
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Cela serait une grande joie, Natalie et votre français est sûrement meilleur que mon anglais.
Et puis, avec le cœur, on se comprend toujours…
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Have an amazing time Natalie. I know you will.
Hugs and blessings.
😀💝
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Thanks, Staci. Hugs and blessings to you too. 🙂 ❤
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I took three years of French in high school and loved it. Have forgotten so much of it over the years, but it is a beautiful language, n’est pas?
(I wonder if I got that right.) Looking forward to reading the rest of your story 🙂
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I never got to teach French so I’ve forgotten most of it too since it was 50 years ago that I graduated. You almost got it right. It’s n’est-ce pas. I hope my story doesn’t get boring after awhile. Thanks for your kind comment about wanting the read more of it. Hugs, N 🙂 ❤
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