A Farewell to Remember

Moments matter! Revere every moment, even a farewell.

Paris is like a first date. It will either break your heart or make you fall in love.

My first trip to Paris was an impromptu two-day visit. I decided not to take a guided tour but rather get immersed in the charm and magic of the city.

Arrondissements or districts connected by boulevards and a maze of avenues and rues (streets) divided the city. Cobblestone roads were adorned by historical buildings and beautifully appointed gardens.

Along the Left Bank of River Seine, on rue de la Bucherie, stood a small book store named Shakespeare and Company; a quaint, more than a century old historical gem, in the shadow of architectural marvels. It was frequented by the literary giants of all times. Inside, serpentine stairways connected several floors, filled with bookshelves, offering a nostalgic peek into the masterpieces that must have been inspired there.

I was about to witness one such story.

As I sat down on a bench to read from The Hunchback of Notre Dame, a gentleman approached and asked if he could sit next to me. Space in the store was limited.

We struck a conversation. I inquired about his visit to Paris.

“I brought my parents for their farewell trip,” he said. “A farewell trip?” I asked. He replied after a brief pause, “my parents met each other in this bookstore, seventy years ago. It was love at first sight. They got married and after a few years moved to America. Now in their nineties and failing health, they realize that their journey together may not be long,” he continued, “so, they wanted to bid farewell to each other at the same place where they first met and fell in love.”

I saw an elderly couple approaching. They were holding hands and had a serene calm on their faces, like they had just completed a sacred ritual. A deep sense of peace and closure infused the air around them.

He stood up and the three of them walked out of the store.

My heart melted! I sat there for some time, in the warmth of the moment.

I visited Paris several times after that. Every time I go to Shakespeare and Company, I think about them. Their story inspired me to rethink farewells. No one can deny the pain of saying goodbye, but this too, can be cherished and celebrated.

Indeed, it was a farewell to remember!

Next time you are in Paris, experience the magic.