In April 2012, Dick and I went on an incredible photography trip to Monet’s Garden in France and Keukenhof Gardens in Holland with the talented photographer, Charles Needle. I processed many of our photos and blogged about some of the places that captured our hearts. Our lives were turned upside down in May 2012 when Dick was diagnosed with glioblastoma. The luxury of processing photos became a memory.

This week I have been motivated to look over our France photos as I am getting ready to join the dear friends we made on that trip at a reunion in Callaway Gardens.

Back in France, when our leader, Charles Needle, told us that we would be photographing a church, our first thought was that maybe this would be a good opportunity to skip out and  enjoy the shops, cafes and quaint streets of the city. Being jewish, we had no particular interest in taking photos of a church interior. We half heartedly joined the group inside thinking we’d stay a short while. Hours later, we emerged from the church with squinting eyes  and a new found sense of wonder in the miracle of light.

The church architecture, the sun, the magnificent stained glass windows, and perhaps the divine, provided us with continuous surprises. As the light unfolded, there was a spirit which infused the building and  the church was transformed into a sacred space.Thank you Charles for sharing it’s secrets with us.

Construction began on the Collegiate Church Notre-Dame in the 11th century and it was completed in the 17th century. In 1072, the church was dedicated to the “Holy Mother of God” and that is why it was named Notre-Dame(our Lady).It is considered to be one of the most beautiful examples of medieval architecture in France.