Gigi is 21

Gigi is 21
Originally uploaded by Yankee T

Bye Bye

I was getting ready to go through security. We had kissed goodbye and were holding the camera at arm's length for a final portrait. The woman behind me couldn't stand it. "Here! Kiss your mama and I'll take a picture."

We obliged. Why I'm kissing thin air, do not ask. I have no answer. At any rate, this is the last of our Paris photos. Before long, I'll be standing at the airport at home with a big "WELCOME HOME" sign. Can't wait.

If I Had Known

If I had known, the day this picture was taken (the first one of the three of you) how it would all turn out...if I had known the laughs we'd have...if I had known the tears I would shed...If I had known the number of hours I would spend on bleachers, and behind the wheel, and in schools, and at the doctor, and at the Department of Motor Vehicles, and standing in line, and sitting in parking lots, and holding a crying daughter in my lap...if I had known how far you would all come, or how high you would fly, or how many friends you would add to my life...if I had known that it would be like it is today, and was yesterday, and will be tomorrow, I would have been on my knees, hands folded, head bowed, saying, "thank you" to the spirits who brought you to me.

Thank you. I love you. You're mine. Happy Mother's Day





















(Gigi and Older Daughter-7, Younger Daughter-3)

We Interrupt Our Travelogue To Bring You...

Tomorrow my baby, my little one, my Younger Daughter turns 17! She has a party to go to and we have theater tickets, so tonight we took her and her best friend, Flower Girl (far right) and Gigi and her girlfriend, Mimi (far left) out to eat. I forgot my camera. They generously agreed to pose for pictures after dinner at home, despite the fact that their busy calendars called them elsewhere.

We have been to hell and back with this child, but we know now that hanging in there, unconditional love, and the promise of permanence make all the difference. She's happy, we have a wonderful relationship, and all is well.

Shadows

These tree and vine shadows are painted on this building. It is directly across the street from where my daughter meets her French professor. From close up, you can see it is painted, but from even just a short distance, it looks like this shadow.
Lovely, I think.

Beacon

I purposely only brought my little point-and-shoot camera with me to Paris. I wanted my trip to be relaxed and easy. Mostly, I was totally satisfied with my old friend, but the night we went on the Bateaux-Mouches, I was DYING for my other camera with the longer lens. I wanted this shot so badly, and my camera just couldn't do it. I asked my daughter if I could try hers, because although it is also a compact camera, it's newer and probably a step up. I was able to get this photo, and am totally satisfied.

Music Below The Street

Pictured here is a full classical orchestra playing for chump change in the Metro. The blurred part is people walking by. I took one with the flash, but this one without is much more interesting.

Golden Gate

We had left the Eiffel Tower and were walking around, slightly hungry. We saw a crepe cart in the distance and headed that way. Through a courtyard, down a few stairs, and through this gorgeous gate.

Nutella on a crepe, in a paper cone. Heaven.

Green

Everything was green and lovely. The air was breezy and mild.

It could have been minus 40 and miserable and I would have been happy to be with my girl, but the weather just made the trip even more terrific. We have memories to last a lifetime.