There was the fire, tears, and the dispute over whether to rebuild the same design or introduce a Frank Geary-type, twenty-first-century, flapping metal design as a replacement.
Why go back to the past?
It wasn’t because of the history that Notre Dame Cathedral was there when Hitler and his troops rolled into Paris during World War II. Or that Notre Dame Cathedral was there before Napoleon, and Napoleon crowned himself Emperor at Notre Dame. There’s also the Victor Hugo book The Hunchback of Notre Dame, made into a spooky film starring Charles Laughton and Maureen O’Hara.
Saner minds decided to rebuild the Cathedral as originally designed, but this time, make it even better.
And those French, like their perfect croissants, succeeded. The gal is a new beauty!
All the government dignitaries were there for the re-opening, along with many well-groomed, white-haired, rich older men with their very young beauties. Prince William towered over most dignitaries. A poignant moment remembering his mother died in Paris. Donald Trump lumbered into the Cathedral, looking out of place, sitting in the front row with his absurd yellow hair.
Ukraine’s Zelensky appeared to be the only person who received applause from the street audience standing in the rain before he entered the Cathedral. The French know their history and recognize a hero.
Years ago, flying back from Africa to London, the British Air captain announced that the plane would be about to fly over Paris.
Have a look.
Everything was pitch black down below.
It must be overcast.
Then there was one light, two more, and suddenly, a carpet of sparkling lights spread below across a vast area, even though the city was still fast asleep.
That’s why they call it the City of Lights.
Besides those precious people below and the many lights, Notre Dame Cathedral is back again, making everything sparkle just a little bit brighter.
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