L'AVENUE DES SOUHAITS (The Alley of Wishes)
My mother always dreamed of visiting Paris. She dreamed of being loved unconditionally by her husband, and of sharing a sweet, nurturing marriage. Those dreams did not come true for my mother. Mom lived on a sad, scary alley so the peace and comfort of the fictional Alley of Wishes was my gift to her. Beck is the kindly husband I wish my mother might have had. Cerise is the woman he loves unconditionally. Their story is an allegory, life written as I wish it could have been for Mother.
The object of Beck's affection lived on a remote Parisian side street. He could barely make out faded letters on the tall stone obelisk that marked her alley. His French was poor at best, but he guessed at the name: The Alley of Wishes
Would the place live up to its name, become a blessing in answer to his prayers and wishes?
Ancient stone walls flanked the worn door leading to a small courtyard and cottage. Beck hoped to find love here in Cerise's quiet home, the lasting kind like that shared by his parents.
Beck's love lessons are universal. Unconditional love is kind, nurturing, and lasts a lifetime.
WISHES AND HOPES
Sometimes, all a broken person has are hopes, dreams, or wishes.
Believing goodness and hope will survive is powerful medicine.
My mother diffused her nightmares by imagining a kindly man who loved her unconditionally. Beck banished nightmares by whispering his frights into the soft ear of an angel who would always love him, no matter what life dished out.
Mother's reality and Beck's meet at the Alley of Wishes.
THE FLOWER MARKET
Whether the day was rainy or sunny, the sight of colorful flowers and their soothing fragrances were a blessing to my mother. Her yard was a riot of colorful flowers and she took comfort from sitting on the back steps with bright blooms all around her.Beck found joy in walking hand in hand with Cerise at the many flower markets in Paris. He had an artist's eye for color and the flower market fed his creativity. Every trip to the flower market produced a new addition to the garden Beck created for Cerise at The Alley of Wishes.
Sometimes love can be shown quietly, through flowers and fragrance and the labor of a man's hands digging in the earth.
The Seine is a broad, slow-flowing river that curves through the heart of Paris. 37 bridges cross the Seine within the boundaries of Paris.
THE SEINE
I allowed Beck to search for peace in the broad tree-lined quais along the Seine, just as Mother might have if she had been there. The lights of Paris reflected in the river by night, and sunlight dappled her waters by day. Mom dreamed of standing on the Pont des Arts at night with the lights of Paris shimmering in the water.The Seine, therefore, became a linchpin of Beck's experience in Paris. Sometimes anger and despair drove him to the Seine. Other times, the river became a place of solitary contemplation where he planned ways of demonstrating his love for Cerise.
Regardless of his mood, the sight and sound of water soothed Beck.
Construction on Notre Dame Cathedral was begun in 1163 and completed in 1345. It sits on the Ile de Cite as a beacon of hope to people of all denominations.
Notre Dame means "Our Lady" in French.
NOTRE DAME
The Hunchback of Notre Dame was one of Mom's favorite books and movies. She'd always hoped to someday visit Notre Dame, to see the travelers and supplicants gathered around the church made famous in book and on screen. She once said that surely anyone visiting there would experience some sort of epiphany.Beck stood as Mom's surrogate when he and Cerise visited Notre Dame.
It seems that nothing ever proceeds smoothly for long in life. Beck almost loses Cerise in the shelling of Paris. His short lived joy falters, along with his newfound faith in goodness and mercy.
Hope returned in one moment when Beck sees Notre Dame glowing in the setting sun. His epiphany comes as the sun glows pink on that ancient edifice. It was at that moment he knew, just knew, that the bad times were behind them.
THANK YOU FOR VISITING AND LEAVING A COMMENT
sittonbull wrote...
Wow...the avenue of words leading up to "The Alley of Wishes" denotes literary talent to spare. I hope your story finds great success in film and print. Hey thanks for the visit and yes... I do believe our philosophies point in the same direction! Keep smiling! :)
Posted July 23, 2009
Tiddledeewinks wrote...
I love a romantic story and agree it would make a nice movie!
Posted March 17, 2009
lollyj wrote...
Thanks to everyone for stopping by and leaving a message in my guestbook. The making of this lens was a work of the heart so I appreciate your kindness and support.
Posted March 04, 2009
Joan4 wrote...
You are such a beautiful writer! I enjoyed your story, and am so glad your mom found her way out of the abuse - for all of you!
Posted February 25, 2009
RinchenChodron wrote...
Great lens! Would you like to add it to my Valentine's Resource Group?
Posted February 14, 2009
Pami Angel wrote
Alley of wishes was a beautiful Love story set in World War 1.I think most women would like to have a man like Beck..Any one who hasn't read this book should.You won't be able to lay the book down.Laurel is a wonderful writer.I would like to read more books like Alley of wishes.I think this book would make an excellent movie.
Posted February 12, 2009
vanidiana wrote...
Hi, thanks for joining Fiction Books And Authors group. My 5* for you! :)
Posted February 04, 2009
spirituality wrote...
Lovely :) hope Valentine brings you a bit of traffic (or a lot) to this great lens.
Posted February 03, 2009
mukunda22 wrote...
Alcohol certainly finds a way (to destroy)!
Thanks for the story--high fived and faved!
Posted February 01, 2009
RickBasset wrote...
Fabulous lens! Thanks for sharing it with us!
Peace :~)
Rick
Posted January 31, 2009
Frankster wrote...
Thank you for sharing your Mother's wisdom and the hope she taught you. You were lucky to have her in your life. 5 stars, favorite and I'm now a big FAN! Bear hugs, Frankster aka Bearmeister aka Cat-Woman
Posted January 24, 2009
Snozzle wrote...
Not a book I've heard of previously but it seems very powerful. Great 5* lens.
Mike.
Posted January 24, 2009
Comfortdoc wrote...
Angel Blessings for donating a copy of The Alley of Wishes as an incentive for the Spirit of the Season Challenge.
Posted January 12, 2009
lisadh wrote...
Many women get caught in abusive relationships, but not all find the courage or ability to leave. I'm glad your mom finally made it out and got all of her children out. Peace.
Posted January 04, 2009
LollyJ wrote
in reply to Tammylove Thanks to everyone for stopping by and leaving a comment. Great comments!!
I do want to make it clear to you, Tammylove, that Beck's story is fictional, written for my mother.
Any scenario related to Mother or her children has been fictionalized.
Posted December 31, 2008
Tammylove wrote...
I haven't heard of this book before however, you make it sound like something I really must read!
Posted December 31, 2008
Comfortdoc wrote...
Thank you for donating your book to the Spirit of the Season Challenge incentives.
Posted December 29, 2008
d-artist wrote...
great stories, well written descriptions! lensrolling it to my "say I Love You" lens...5*
Posted December 13, 2008
JaguarJulie wrote...
A beautiful, poignant story -- looking forward to reading more of your writings. The Alley of Wishes sounds like a wonderful book.
Posted December 12, 2008
FORTUNATA wrote...
I read this book and enjoyed every page. Beck is a character you will never forget. This is a story that will linger in your heart for years to come. Wonderful!
Songbird
Posted November 26, 2008
Eldeen wrote...
This is the best love story I've ever read. We need more Beck's in the world.
Posted November 25, 2008
janetsjo wrote...
I loved the love story that developed between the two. We all wish for that kind of love and devotion in our lives. Whenyou brought the town of Frankfort, KS into the story, since I live here now, I tried to picture where they lived and how they spent their time and so on. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful story with us.
Posted November 07, 2008
lollyj wrote...
Thanks for stopping by. Gosh, what delightful comments!! Thanks so much for the compliment, Carol. And kwiemers, we all have a bit of Cerise in us. Unfortunately, the Becks of the world are few and far between.
Posted November 02, 2008
kwiemers77 wrote...
The Alley of Wishes is one of my favorite books. It combines the atrocities of the first world war with a poignant and sexy love story. I wish I had a Beck of my own, but then, I am no Cerise!
Posted October 27, 2008
Carol Adler wrote
What a wonderful description of one of the finest books that's been written in the 21st century!
Bravo!!!
Posted October 27, 2008
Find Beck's story on Amazon
The Alley of Wishes
Amazon Price: $17.95 (as of 11/12/2009) 
by lollyj
By TwitterButtons.com
Beck's story is the book of my heart. In it, I used all my life experience to create a book I'm proud of writing. His story is... (more)
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