Closet Fashion Analysis:
Un-Necessary in this Post
Within the last 8 months we have moved from shopping, visiting and dining in Romans-sur-Isere, France, without a care in the world to voluntary quarantine in Canada because of Covid19 to shock at senseless human-wielded tragedy, back in France, which I may not be able to return to in a long while.
Romans-sur-Isere - I have written about this lovely town in South-East France where a great factory-store mall, Marques Avenue exists. Every year, I do a pilgrimage to Romans-sur-Isere for shoes, cashmere sweaters, and my favourite Yves Delorme bed linens.
With every visit over the past 20 years, we have dined at the restaurant "La Charrette" and the original owner Christian Vinson and his son, Julien were always visible in the restaurant. Most recently, we met, Julien, who was "our age" through a friend, who lives there. Julien died Saturday and no, he was not a victim of Covid19 - he was slaughtered by a deranged murderer while protecting his son, The Guardian tells us. The murderer first killed a shopper at the butcher's, a shop we have been to. Four others were injured and taken to hospital.
We have walked down that street, past shops and restaurants, been to the tobacconists and to the butcher shop, eaten pizza at a sidewalk café, and bought bread, wine and flowers to take back to our friend's home. As I contemplate the situation on the other side of the Atlantic, my feelings are surreal as my imagination takes me to before, during, and after.
We have walked down that street, past shops and restaurants, been to the tobacconists and to the butcher shop, eaten pizza at a sidewalk café, and bought bread, wine and flowers to take back to our friend's home. As I contemplate the situation on the other side of the Atlantic, my feelings are surreal as my imagination takes me to before, during, and after.
Who was this murderer? Mentally unstable? Obviously. Deranged? I assume so. Apparently, he came to France as an immigrant, was granted his 10 year residency, received government subsidized education for a trade and was also helped by Secours Catholique (Retrieved April 6, 2020 from The Guardian). A professed Islamist, this particular immigrant from Sudan and temporary resident of France, in my mind, took advantage of the generosity of the French government and Secours Catholique, whose mission is to "serve the poor and to promote charity and justice throughout the world", and then reciprocated with murder. Even with that, those who profess Christianity and pacifism still proclaim, "you are forgiven". I ask now for forgiveness as I struggle with that.
The BBC reported that he was "found on his knees . . . praying in Arabic" and he asked police to kill him. They did not and so he did not die a martyr as his political and religious beliefs made him desire. Nothing good can come of this and so yes, I take the position against violence and the evil it generates. I just can't wrap my head around how one human being can slaughter others and profess spirituality. Yet our history is riddled with exactly that.
The BBC reported that he was "found on his knees . . . praying in Arabic" and he asked police to kill him. They did not and so he did not die a martyr as his political and religious beliefs made him desire. Nothing good can come of this and so yes, I take the position against violence and the evil it generates. I just can't wrap my head around how one human being can slaughter others and profess spirituality. Yet our history is riddled with exactly that.
Romans-sur-Isere is in shock. Residents are confined to their homes, restricted by government orders, because of Covid19, and are unable to carry out the emotional, spiritual, and physical interactions so needed.
My friend from Romans-sur-Isere writes, "We are all confined and very sad now."
What is in our closets, figuratively speaking?
What is in our closets, figuratively speaking?
Oh my God!!! This is terrible news! I remember fondly the time spent there. The purchaseses made. The stop in the Le Creusset shop to find just the perfect pot for your favourite chef. The senseless violence you describe has been escalating in Europe, and around the world for that matter, for a number of years now. This pandemic does not make things better. Zealots of all stripes do reprehensible things in the name of their preferred beliefs, even though their insane actions are not sanctioned by the origins of said beliefs. I am very sorry for the tragic loss of your friend. It certainly mars the affection you have for your second home, and the life you have made there. A small blessing is all the memories you have of good times and fine meals had over the past 20 Years. Your friend made the ultimate sacrifice by protecting his son. May his life be properly celebrated when this pandemic has passed. We hold you in our hearts as you grapple with the loss. J and A Much love
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