Au Revoir, Chère Amie
We met in 1999. I had just returned from Paris. Joan and her daughter Michele were about to go there for the first time. She asked if we could have lunch together to talk about it. Well, of course! There was nothing I would rather have talked about at the time. And so friendships are made.
They came to Paris, and returned again and again. We all find our own personal Paris. Joan loved the beauty, the art de vivre, and the history. France was known as “la fille aînée de l’Eglise” (the eldest daughter of the Church), and this girl who was so sure of her faith felt especially at home here.
Joan and Michele were the first of my friends to visit me when I moved here. They came again in May of 2007. We dined on the Ile Saint-Louis, and then had drinks at the Hôtel Regina. The bar closed, and we moved to the lobby, where we talked until 3:30 in the morning. The concierge called me a cab, and we hugged and kissed goodbye at the base of the statue of Jeanne d’Arc. I learned later that our Joan had been named for Saint Joan.
Last year, Joan had a recurrence of the kidney cancer she had experienced 10 years before. She fought the good fight, but said that she was at peace and felt that it was in God’s hands. On 27 July 2008, she died peacefully, her beloved daughter at her side.
Joan and I talked about three weeks ago, planning what we would do on her next visit. Now, Michele will come to Paris, and we will toast her in all of her old haunts.
Jan, I am so sorry to read of your friends passing. Joan sounded like a really wonderful lady and you had such a special friendship with Joan and her daughter.
I am so glad to read that you will be seeing her daughter Michele in Paris sometime soon.
It will be very difficult for you both but at the same time – wonderful too. You have that special connection of paris and her Mum.
have a champagne for me too in her honour.
ladyjicky, we will definitely raise our glasses to you, too.
Jan,
I don’t think I expressed how touching this tribute is and how much it means to me. Paris pulled us all together and will forever be our constant. Mom so enjoyed her friendship with you and I am very glad you were able to speak to her a few times before she passed away. I miss her every single day and my love for her is forever. I know she meant a lot to you and to so many people as well. She was a wonderful woman! I do plan to come to Paris perhaps in February so that we can toast her as you put it…. in all of her old haunts! It will not be the same without Mom with us, but I know she will be there in spirit and watching over us and joining us in her own way.
Thank you for the tribute and your friendship to Mom and to me as well.
xoxo
Michele
Proud Daughter of Joan Marie
Michele,
What a lovely comment! As you know, my sentiments were heartfelt. I look forward to seeing you here.
Jan