My Farwell to Paris – Postcards from Paris
It took me a long time to get to Paris…I was supposed to arrive as a student, breathless and excited at 17. Instead, I arrived breathless and excited at 28 because we almost missed getting off of the train since we lost track of time and had only 4 rushed minutes to gather our things and hop off. We were having so much fun we didn’t noticed that we’d arrived…talk about breathless!
By now, I have been to Paris many times…but every time is special and different. I am so blessed that we have come so many times as a family and enjoyed many Sunday suppers. This time we were welcomed as friends at the hotel where we always stay, Relais St. Germaine. We joked with the concierge and the waiters at the bistro located in the hotel, Le Comptoir which is our favorite for the food, service, people watching and (best of all) the proximity to our room.
By now, they know that Dana speaks French, I speak a tiny bit, and Jeff prefers to let us speak for him. In France, they like things to be predictable, and we are.
By now, we know where our favorite places are and how to get there…the Museums, the Seine, the Tuileries, Luxembourg Gardens, shops, galleries, bistros, the streets, narrow and crooked or vast and tree lined.
But now, I know that this will probably be our last visit for a long time. We start to think about saying a mental goodbye… and then we stop, we know that we HAVE to come back…maybe not as frequently as in the last few years, but we WILL return, because this city has become part of the best of our lives.
So, this is my tribute to a city that I’ve grown to love….and that I will always return to breathless and excited.
In our hectic world, most of us can't commit to having dinner with our family/friends every night, but maybe we can start to put aside Sunday to be together and share our lives and good food. Let's join together to inspire others to celebrate our old traditions and create new ones. 
matt — Sunday, April 29, 2012 @ 5:13 pm
What an absolutely beautiful post and short farewell to a truly magical place! I loved this so much!
Susie replied: — April 29th, 2012 @ 8:28 pm
Wow, wow, wow! To have the “super nova” of bloggers comment on my post is so special and meaningful…thank you Matt!
Carol Sacks — Sunday, April 29, 2012 @ 10:44 pm
Your photos are stunning and your prose is poignant. Just lovely, Susie!
Susie replied: — April 30th, 2012 @ 8:23 pm
Thank you so much Carol! A bittersweet post, but yes, we will return!
Ellen — Monday, April 30, 2012 @ 8:05 am
What a wonderful farewell! Paris; the sites,the food,the streets; all come alive in your words! I know you will return!!!
Susie replied: — April 30th, 2012 @ 8:24 pm
Yes, I know that we will return…don’t know when, but we definitely will return to Paris!
Barbara | Creative Culinary — Monday, April 30, 2012 @ 8:44 pm
I’ve never been to Paris and yet could feel your pain at this goodbye Susie; what a lovely and loving tribute.
Susie replied: — April 30th, 2012 @ 9:00 pm
Thanks so much Barb…it was a hard post to write, but I wanted to pay tribute to the beautiful memories we made there.
Amanda — Friday, May 4, 2012 @ 12:55 pm
Beautiful Susie. Paris is wonderful and seems to capture your heart more and more each time :)
Susie replied: — May 4th, 2012 @ 10:02 pm
Thanks for following along on my journey, Amanda!