This comment was by Tom Brechlin in reference to the post – 7 Things I Want to Say But Don’t Have the Words For
The Nice incident hit me differently than past incidents. My wife and I spent a month in Europe last summer. We experienced a lifestyle which was very different from what we have in the US. Although many trendy areas in the US have the sidewalk cafe’s, sidewalk cafe’s are a common way of life in Europe.
When I got the news, my mind immediately went to the countless hours we spent in these cafes. I thought of how relaxing it was sitting in these cafe’s, eating the local cuisine, drinking wine and taking in the beauty of the area.
In Germany, my son introduced us to their community in Mince where when we were home, breakfast lunch and dinner were at some cafe’. While in Italy, we were fortunate to have our own apartment and although it had a kitchen, every morning we would go down to the main street and get our espresso and some amazing pastry and sit in the outside cafe.
Why am I saying this? Because I can’t wrap my mind around what it was like for all the people that experienced what they did. One moment they were feeling and experiencing what my wife and I had and the next was pure terror. My heart goes out to the many who have been affected and I pray for their healing.
Sadly, these events are striking closer than we hoped. My German son is married to an amazing woman who has grandparents in a remote town in Turkey. After returning home from their visit here, I got the news that there was a bombing in Istanbul where Mine’ was to fly into shortly after their return to Germany. I couldn’t get on the phone fast enough to make sure she was okay. Fortunately, she and my grandson hadn’t left yet. Now, with the attempted coup, I’m not sure what she’s gonna do in that she and Julian are now in Turkey.
I’ve got a call into my son and am waiting for his return call.
With all that’s happening, I’m not letting it affect us. We’re planning another trip to Europe next summer. The only difference is we won’t be flying into Istanbul as we did last year.
I’m not sure why I wrote this … but I do feel better.
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