Flowers and messages surround Le Carillon, one of the restaurants attacked on November 13.
\u00a9 Meredith Mullins<\/p><\/div>\n

French Spirit and Cultural Beliefs Are Woven with\u00a0Strength and Courage<\/h2>\n

We don’t usually foresee danger in our daily routines\u2014in restaurants, bars, sports stadiums, or concert halls. We expect to be safe in movie theatres, office buildings, trains, churches, airplanes, and schools\u2014even with past history embedded in our memory.<\/p>\n

Sadly, at this time in a\u00a0world where hatred, violence, guns, and insanity are\u00a0more common than we could have ever imagined, the risk of danger becomes\u00a0hauntingly familiar. The possibility plants itself at the edges of our consciousness.<\/p>\n

And then the unthinkable happens. Terrorists attack the very essence of everyday rhythms. They assault\u00a0innocent people\u2014people eating, laughing, cheering their team, drinking, dancing to heavy metal, talking with friends and neighbors.<\/p>\n

Commemorating the victims of the attacks at the Place de la R\u00e9publique
\u00a9 Meredith Mullins<\/p><\/div>\n

The Paris Attacks<\/h4>\n

Paris suffered such attacks on 13 November, 2015. A night of shock and terror, endless sirens, confusion, and tragedy hanging heavy in the air.<\/p>\n

A night that brought to light the fact that there is much we do not know about the terrorist underworld. A night that exposed the weaknesses in many of the systems built to keep us safe. A night that was followed by police raids,\u00a0more attacks (Mali), and threats of attacks (Belgium). A night that reverberates around the world.<\/p>\n

French soldiers guard Notre Dame Cathedral.
\u00a9 Meredith Mullins<\/p><\/div>\n

French President Hollande declared a state of emergency. The police went into overdrive, putting pieces of the puzzle together and doing everything possible to identify\u00a0those responsible and shut down future attacks.<\/p>\n

Museums and monuments closed. Soldiers patrolled the streets. The country and the world mourned the dead and prayed for the wounded.<\/p>\n

Moments of silence
\u00a9 Jerry Fielder<\/p><\/div>\n

The Spirit of France<\/h4>\n

These dramatic events were filled with “Oh, I see” moments.<\/strong> The most meaningful, for me was the immediate emotional and heartfelt stance for the values and cultural beliefs that are at the heart of the character\u00a0of France.<\/p>\n

The spirit of Paris
\u00a9 Meredith Mullins<\/p><\/div>\n

Libert\u00e9. Egalit\u00e9. Fraternit\u00e9. Strength. Resilience. Defiance. Solidarity. Love. Desire for peace. Courage to overcome fear. Respect for life.<\/p>\n

Place de la R\u00e9publique was transformed into an impromptu memorial to commemorate the victims and pledge allegiance to freedom. The words m\u00eame pas peur<\/em> (not afraid) became not just a headline, but a mantra.<\/p>\n

M\u00eame Pas Peur (Not Afraid)
\u00a9 Meredith Mullins<\/p><\/div>\n

The Eiffel Tower shimmered with the proud blue, white, and red of the French flag.<\/p>\n

The motto for the city of Paris “Fluctuat nec mergitur” emerged as a cry of defiance. The French national anthem (La Marseillaise<\/em>) burst forth spontaneously in small crowds of patriots.<\/p>\n

The Paris Coat of Arms
Image Courtesy of the City of Paris<\/p><\/div>\n

Fluctuat nec mergitur (“She is tossed by the waves but does not sink.”)
Image \u00a9 Stefan Kaufmann<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

People paid tribute to the victims of each attack site, with silent\u00a0prayers and reflection, candles, bouquets, and messages of sadness and hope. Flowers filled bullet holes.<\/p>\n

Flowers filled some of the bullet holes at one of the targeted restaurants.
\u00a9 Meredith Mullins<\/p><\/div>\n

Signs of solace and solidarity covered the closed-up buildings and hung from police tape that circled the once lively terraces.<\/p>\n

Messages on the shuttered wall of Le Petit Cambodge, including “Love is stronger than hate.”
\u00a9 Meredith Mullins<\/p><\/div>\n

As the names of victims were released and news spread through their neighborhoods, more prayers, flowers, and messages were offered\u00a0for the 130 people who lost their lives\u2014at their homes, businesses, and places of worship.<\/p>\n

A child speaks from her heart, drawing her tears and her sadness.
Image courtesy of Fiona<\/p><\/div>\n

The Power of Tears and Flowers<\/h4>\n

Our lives have changed forever. France sheds tears for the loss of life and the affront to freedom. We are sad, but as many of the messages read, “We will not succumb to hate.”<\/p>\n

With a response of courage and the conviction of core cultural beliefs, there is a glimmer of light and hope\u2014especially when a child (in the video below) believes that les m\u00e9chants <\/em>of the Paris attacks (“the bad guys”) can be overpowered by the warmth of candles and the beauty of flowers.<\/p>\n

(If video does not display, watch it here<\/a>.)<\/em><\/p>\n