I write and post every day for you:
You, the dreamer of Paris, the romantic.
Who idolizes Audrey Hepburn,
The architecture, mystique, and mystery.
New, raw, scared, excited, ready;
To be in Europe, perhaps for the first time.
And what place is better than
Paris.
You, the traveler, the Francophile,
You bit the bug, the croissant,
the baguette, and the cheese.
Bonjour et bienvenue, when the
tires skid to a stop on the tarmac,
and the doors open wide, you
recognize instantly, the perfume of
Paris.
You, the ex-pat soon-to-be,
Your heart cannot take one more long
haul.
Home is now a word, transitory.
You shed tears when you are away,
and I feel your pain. I, too, was there.
It’s okay.
If you work hard, you’ll
Be an immigrant too.
Welcome home.
Bienvenue à France 🇫🇷.
Bisous and big hugs 🤗 from France,
Shannon
Original photo taken in the Marais, 3ème. My stomping ground. Also my nickname (“Auntie Shan-Shan”) for any kids under the age of three. 😆
The people I write to are you, and also me: my past selves, the dreamer, the traveler, the expat.