For Melissa

My cousin's daughter, Melissa, was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Last week, at age thirty-nine, she underwent a double mastectomy, and is now home.

While I was exploring Paris at the same time, I came across a tribute in a large courtyard in the Marais district to women with breast cancer. Ordinarily, I'm not a fan of most of these things. It's just my personal opinion; I was diagnosed in 1999. This one, however, was different. I walked around and looked at it from all angles, and then walked back and did it again.  This one's for you, Melissa. Stay strong.