Hello Everyone:
It’s Sunday, November 11th. Remembrance Day. I thought a good day to sit down and write my latest update. I’ve just spent the last hour reading through my Winnie‘s Warriors emails. Remembering all that has happened in the past couple of years. It was actually 2 years ago yesterday that I had my first chemo treatment. Amazing. I spent last night at a charity event, Smiles of Innocence. Doing what I love doing…..getting dressed up, eating, having a couple of glasses of wine, dancing in my stilettos and bidding on silent and live auction items. LOL!! I am the proud owner of a 5 litre bottle of Chianti. Good thing I never gave up drinking….
As mentioned in my last update, I was working on a plan on how I was going to mark ‘my day’. November 1st. As many of you know, Paris is one of my favourite cities in the world. And on my last trip this summer, I was remarking that I had never been to the base of the Arc de Triomphe let alone the top. One night before going to sleep the Arc de Triomphe flashed into my mind. And then it hit me that THAT was where I wanted to be on my day. I thought it was very appropriate seeing that it is a triumphal arch. It describes how I feel about my journey so far and how I feel that I have come through it all. Triumphant.
A few facts on the Arc de Triomphe:
- The largest triumphal arch in existence from 1836-1982.
- Height 50 m (164 ft).
- Construction ordered by Napoleon in 1806 so that his soldiers would ‘return home through archs of triumph”.
- Completed in 1836, long after Napoleon’s death in 1821.
- Located at the end of the Champs-Elysees, in the middle of the Place Charles de Gaulle, a large circular square from which no less than 12 streets emanate.
- Observation deck: 234 steps up. No elevator.
Two of my warriors were with me on November 1st – my BFFs – Chris & Jim. We went to the Arc de Triomphe together. The weather was a little suspect. Quite windy and it had started to rain. The line up to buy tickets to get to the top was very long……it was also All Saints Day (a holiday) – so I think more crowds than normal for a Thursday. So we decided to walk around the base. I also thought that I might get blown off the top of the Arch if we went up. I wasn’t even thinking about the stairs at that point……..I was just happy and thrilled to be there with Chris & Jim as my support pillars in case I cracked. I also decided to go up to the top the next night in order to see the City of Lights in all her glory. That made more sense. We celebrated my day that evening at Le Chateaubriand. I wore an outfit my Aunt Julia bought me in Hong Kong, and of course, donned on the ‘blond wig’ as I do when I am marking and celebrating special dates in this journey.
I received lots of messages of hope, congratulations and good wishes from many of you. At times reading them brought tears to my eyes. It was a little overwhelming. Thank you!! Merci beaucoup. Grazie mille.
The next evening, I had dinner reservations at Epicure at Le Bristol Hotel. A fantastic 3 star Michelin restaurant where I was going to treat myself and celebrate and be in my own thoughts. I decided to go to the top of the Arc just before. I arrived at the base at 8:30 p.m and bought my ticket without any lineup. It wasn’t until I gave my ticket to the gatekeeper that I remembered the stairs…..234 steps up. Good thing I had my flats with me…..I did manage to get to the top without stopping. I think it was because I had had a bit of practice training in the days leading up to my ascent as the apartment I rented had no elevator and 93 steps to get to upstairs! The view was spectacular. Especially with the lights. I breathed it all in…..in style too – put on my stilettos and was wearing a little black dress……no jeans or sneakers for this gal for this moment! I was channelling my inner Coco Chanel. LOL.
I bought an agenda that I saw in a window. It says on the cover:
J’ai décidé d’être heureux parce que c’est bon pour la santé. Si vous voulez être heureux, SOYEZ-Le!
Translated: I decided to be happy because it is good for the health. If you want to be happy – BE it!
I was very happy to be able to do and make this trip. A little last minute but worth it! All part of living and experiencing life to the fullest. I thought of all of you while I made my journey up to the top of the Arc de Triomphe and kept you close to my heart.
The happiest people don’t necessarily have the best of everything; (although I have the very best friends and family……all of you!) they just make the best of everything they have.
“Life isn’t about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain.” It’s going to rain tomorrow in Toronto. I’m going to try it……but on the safety of my balcony!!
Bisous. (Kisses)
Winnie xo