Art, monuments, cathedrals - these are human expressions of their time and place in history. The stained glass windows in Notre Dame were to inspire and bring in light from the ‘divine’. Having stood there, and a few other magnificent similar structures, I understand it’s devastating loss for Parisians and for the world. Yes, there have been other terrible meaningful historical losses in many parts of the world, and they should all touch us. For all kinds of reasons and for all kinds of people, the religious, historical and spiritual significance of this site is a devastating loss. So for today, I won't compare or challenge. For today, I just mourn for Paris.

So are the buildings that were much older in Syria that the US and their "friends" bombed.

I’ve never been to Paris and have always wanted to.
I studied Notre Dame in college and fell in love with it, and I’m so sad I missed seeing it.

Terrible, I feel like I felt when the Taliban bombed the Buddhas of Bamyan from the 6th century!

I agree, especially about the art. Irreplaceable

And still, it is a thing. We can embue another thing with the same emotions. That's up to us.

yes

Indeed

Nicely said. I am very glad to have gotten to see it before this happened.