Who has Passed This Way?

Doors, much like that first impression, definitely make a statement.  As with all things there are exceptions and I do like exceptions.  They are the reminders of the infinite possibilities this life has to offer when you allow your mind to release itself from the confines of the "box" and explore.  Acceptable terminology would be the Buzz Light Year approach of "Infinity and Beyond!".  Throughout my life, much like trying to escape the earth's gravitational  grasp, I have jumped through open doors even when that little voice said "Don't do it!' These so-called "Leaps of Faith", all part of my relentless stubborn personality, have now manifested themselves in my children.  Their sheer determination, have allowed them to jump through many doors and as son Matthew reminded me recently he can be a "tenacious little bastard!

The menu covers of Fred's News changed often. Many had nothing to do with the small restaurant, but might perhaps evoke memories of the past, open the eyes of its' readers to the beauty of the surrounding community, pay respect to a former way of life (the Baltic Mills) and allow our Guests to occupy themselves during busy moments while waiting for their meals to arrive.  Poking fun at ourselves by super-imposing our stern faces on the bodies of Iowa born, American regionalist painter, Grant Wood's painting "American Gothic" was just one a numerous menu covers that are now "collectors' items" to many former customers.   A personal favorite, our "Doors" menu cover.  Friend Christine, scoured the community for interesting doors to photograph. She captured none of the surrounding architecture, just the doors, their stark beauty captured in an instance. Each door alone on their stage, basking in the limelight, hearing the voices of the masses that have passed over their thresholds, trying to guess where they had been seen.  Some who viewed these knew in an instance what structure these magnificent guards protected, while others, much like a wallflower, had long faded into obscurity. Interestingly, people shared some of their most poignant memories of these doors with the Fred's News family.  Crazy Bruce reminded me, that one particular door that had fallen into the depths of disrepair, had allowed him a makeshift shelter on a cold New England night.  Behind that door he crouched alone, the "demons swirling within," a place where only he would venture on such a night.  I had asked Bruce a simple question as he tried to purchase a soothing cup of hot coffee in the early morning hours, "what are you doing out in the cold, you're a mess, go home, where did you stay?" His fingers raw and chapped, dirty and weathered, he pointed to the menu on the counter, "I stayed there, no one would find me but no one cares to either!" With that he left.

As I strolled the streets of Paris, paying particular attention the entry ways of many of these buildings, wondering who has passed their entry and graced the halls of these buildings.  Many dating back to my friend Mr. DaVinci's era, who has whispered their inner most thoughts, what secrets do these walls hide.  Perhaps a meeting place, plotting the French Revolution or a meeting place for a secluded royal tryst!  What is most interesting is the history, many doors weathering the test of time, the ornate masterpieces still just as magnificent.  Looking at the entry into the Cathedral of Notre Dame I entertained the thought that French novelist Victor Hugo, based his character Quasimodo, the hunchbacked cathedral bell-ringer, after a real life person that perhaps quietly and cautiously entered through these massive doorways undetected.  Did he ask his Maker for forgiveness, did he weep beneath these ornate statues, did he simply ask "Pourquoi moi?" Why me?  Did he imagine the infinite possibilities a lifetime has to offer?