Donna Highfill
  • Home
  • About
    • About Donna
    • What People Are Saying
    • My Other Blogs
      • Dame Nation Blog
      • Huffington Post
  • Services
    • Power Up BUSINESS
    • Coaching
  • Books and Tools
  • Blog
    • Fave Products
  • Contact Me

How I Wear Paris Around My Neck

AndrewFave Products3 commentsNovember 12, 2012

I took six years of French because I was in love with France. “Bonjour mon nom est Donna. Je t’aime.” That’s pretty much all I remember, except for Patti LaBelle’s contribution of “Voulez-Vous Couchez Avec Moi, Ce Soir,” which could have gotten me in a lot of trouble had I gone to France in my youth.

I am in love with the French language, and have yearned to see the Eiffel Tower ever since seeing Gene Kelly, my first older man, in “American in Paris.”

So, why haven’t I ever gone to see the Eiffel Tower? Well, for years it was because I was in college and broke. Then I was a single female, a country western radio DJ and, oh yeah, I was broke. Then it was because I was married and had small children and, again, broke.

Then it’s because I had my own business and worked 18 hours a day and my energy was broke.

Now, I’m beginning to think about Paris again. I dreamed the other night that I was running toward the Eiffel Tower, through cobblestone streets, among small cafes. Of course I was naked and trying to get to class to take that exam I had forgotten about, but it still left me with a happy feeling in my heart.

I woke up thinking about Paris and synchronicity kicked in. On that day I connected with Paul Bedell, a friend of mine who created Korbella jewelry.

Here’s the crazy part; he told me that he had taken his wife and daughter to Paris and that the look on his daughter’s face when she saw the Eiffel Tower for the first time changed his heart. So, he walked away from the corporate grind and purchased a spiral staircase that had twelve steps from the Eiffel tower. The staircase had been removed in 1983 when it was found to be structurally unstable.

He worked with some of the best jewelry designers in the world and had them create necklaces that beautifully incorporate a small piece of that staircase. Therefore, a part of the Eiffel Tower is always lingering beautifully around your neck. I have one of those Korbella necklaces, and find myself holding it when I yearn for a romantic, storied moment. I love the magic of its connection – check out the Korbella necklaces here.

In the meantime, I’m going to go all Rosetta Stone to beef up my French. I’m going to study the history of The Louvre. I’m going to read more Camus, and I’m going to eat more french fries. I know that french fries really shouldn’t be part of the deal, but it’s my dream trip and I’ve determined this an essential part of the preparation.

I feel like my necklace is one of those broken hearts and one day, I’m going to stand at the Eiffel Tower and press my necklace to it and ask it to be my sweetheart. Of course my husband might object, he doesn’t like competing with tall suitors.

Tags: baby boomer women, DameNation, damenationblog, donna highfill, humor, jewelry, jewelry from Paris, Korbella, Paul Michael Bedell, women over 50

Related Articles

A New Perspective with Icon Eyewear

February 25, 2013Andrew

Change, Schmange: 10 Reasons People Want to Fight Change

October 23, 2012Andrew

The Cable Guy – Or Was He?

September 22, 2014Donna Highfill

3 comments. Leave new

SharonGreenthal
November 12, 2012 6:17 pm

I saw Paris for the first time 2 years ago while visiting my daughter during her semester abroad. I was there for 24 hours and was completely enchanted by the city. I sat in the train station waiting to return to London and cried for a long, long time because we were leaving. It’s a magical place.

Reply
Donna
November 12, 2012 6:53 pm

I have heard that Sharon, and have this incredible pull to see it. I hope you get to go back soon . . .

Reply
Paul Michael
November 12, 2012 8:02 pm

My family agrees, Sharon–a magical place, indeed. During our last visit, my 9-year daughter old announced that she will be attending university in Paris, and that she hopes we’ll live there “…at least for a year or two…someday.” It is truly a place that inspires dreams.

Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Learn How to Tell a Better Story and Achieve Success!

Sign up below to receive 48 FREE Energizing Messages.

Connect with Me

Email
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest

Recent Posts

  • A Cab Driver Who Appeared as if from Nowhere
  • Here’s Some Honesty For You
  • Laughter is My Hero
  • A New Year in Old Clothes
  • Why I Will Face the Fall

CHECK OUT MY BOOK

highfillcover

As a leader, do you implement change only to watch the projects, processes and initiatives stall because you can’t get the people driving them to change? In my new book Real People, Real Change: Stories of a Change Warrior in the Business World I share real stories to illustrate how leaders can move people to action.

Archives

Where Donna Will Be Speaking Next

  • April 22, 2015 - SunTrust Women's Networking Group
  • April 23, 2015 - SunTrust Women's Networking Group
  • May 12, 2015 - LPGA Championship, Kingsmill, Williamsburg VA
  • May 21, 2015 - Education Association of Fundraising Professionals, Eerie, PA

Certified_hi-res

mbti_certified
huffbadge

Learn How to Tell a Better Story and Achieve Success!

Sign up below to receive 48 FREE Energizing Messages.

Recent Posts

  • A Cab Driver Who Appeared as if from Nowhere August 9, 2017
  • Here’s Some Honesty For You March 16, 2017
  • Laughter is My Hero January 10, 2017

Contact Me

804-370-6665
[email protected]
  • Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Copyright
  • About Donna
  • Contact Me
Copyright Donna Highfill 2014