On the evening of Monday, April 16, Nick was sitting on the balcony of our apartment working when he looked up and saw what appeared to be a small amount of smoke coming from beautiful Notre Dame – just down the street from our apartment.
We both sat transfixed – horrified, deeply saddened and shocked – for many hours watching a beautiful piece of world history burn.
Though we are not French, the sadness and devastation were overwhelming and we can’t fathom how the Parisians felt and still feel looking at this stunning relic today.
We watched our neighbors come onto their balconies, cover their mouths in shock and watch, helpless. It is indescribable the loss – to Paris, to the French, to Catholics and to the world.
Nick got some beautifully tragic photos from beginning to end that evening. As the sun went down, Notre Dame light up the night sky near us but appeared more to be the embers of a blaze that had taken its toll and done its damage.
These photos only give a glimpse into the true sadness we experienced watching this tragedy happen firsthand. We are so grateful we have been able to visit this beautiful icon – to have picnics near it, to walk past it nearly every day, and to gaze down the street to catch a view every morning and evening.