President Barack Obama, French President Francois Hollande, second from right, and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo arrive at the Bataclan, site of one of the Paris terrorists attacks, to pay their respects to the victims after Obama arrived in town for the COP21 climate change conference early on Monday, November 30, in Paris.
President Barack Obama, French President Francois Hollande, second from right, and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo arrive at the Bataclan, site of one of the Paris terrorists attacks, to pay their respects to the victims after Obama arrived in town for the COP21 climate change conference early on Monday, November 30, in Paris.
Evan Vucci/AP
The Eiffel Tower in Paris is illuminated in the French national colors on Monday, November 16. Displays of support for the French people were evident at landmarks around the globe after the deadly terrorist attacks in Paris on Friday, November 13.
The Eiffel Tower in Paris is illuminated in the French national colors on Monday, November 16. Displays of support for the French people were evident at landmarks around the globe after the deadly terrorist attacks in Paris on Friday, November 13.
Frank Augstein/AP
People hold hands as they observe a minute of silence in Lyon, France, on November 16, three days after the Paris attacks. A minute of silence was observed throughout the country in memory of the victims of the country's deadliest violence since World War II.
People hold hands as they observe a minute of silence in Lyon, France, on November 16, three days after the Paris attacks. A minute of silence was observed throughout the country in memory of the victims of the country's deadliest violence since World War II.
Laurent Cipriani/AP
French President Francois Hollande, center, flanked by French Prime Minister Manuel Valls, right, and French Education Minister Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, center left, stands among students during a minute of silence in the courtyard of the Sorbonne University in Paris on November 16.
French President Francois Hollande, center, flanked by French Prime Minister Manuel Valls, right, and French Education Minister Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, center left, stands among students during a minute of silence in the courtyard of the Sorbonne University in Paris on November 16.
Guillaume Horcajuelo/AP
A large crowd gathers to lay flowers and candles in front of the Carillon restaurant in Paris on Sunday, November 15.
A large crowd gathers to lay flowers and candles in front of the Carillon restaurant in Paris on Sunday, November 15.
Ian Langsdon/EPA/LANDOV
A man sits next to candles lit as homage to the victims of the deadly attacks in Paris at a square in Rio de Janeiro on November 15.
A man sits next to candles lit as homage to the victims of the deadly attacks in Paris at a square in Rio de Janeiro on November 15.
Leo Correa/AP
People light candles in tribute to the Paris victims on November 15 in Budapest, Hungary.
People light candles in tribute to the Paris victims on November 15 in Budapest, Hungary.
BALAZS MOHAI/MTI/EPA/LANDOV
People gather outside Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on November 15 for a national service for the victims of the city's terror attacks.
People gather outside Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on November 15 for a national service for the victims of the city's terror attacks.
Daniel Ochoa de Olza/AP
People write messages on the ground at Place de la Republique in Paris on November 15.
People write messages on the ground at Place de la Republique in Paris on November 15.
YOAN VALAT/EPA/LANDOV
People pray during a candlelight vigil for victims of the Paris attacks at a church in Islamabad, Pakistan, on November 15.
People pray during a candlelight vigil for victims of the Paris attacks at a church in Islamabad, Pakistan, on November 15.
Anjum Naveed/AP
French golfer Gregory Bourdy passes a peace symbol for the Paris victims during the BMW Shanghai Masters tournament November 15 in Shanghai, China.
French golfer Gregory Bourdy passes a peace symbol for the Paris victims during the BMW Shanghai Masters tournament November 15 in Shanghai, China.
Johannes Eisele/APF/Getty Images
A man offers a prayer in memory of victims of the Paris attacks at the French Embassy in Tokyo on November 15.
A man offers a prayer in memory of victims of the Paris attacks at the French Embassy in Tokyo on November 15.
Yoshikazu Tsuno/AFP/Getty Images
A woman holds a candle atop a miniature replica of the Eiffel Tower during a candlelight vigil Saturday, November 14, in Vancouver, British Columbia.
A woman holds a candle atop a miniature replica of the Eiffel Tower during a candlelight vigil Saturday, November 14, in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Darryl Dyck/AP
Front pages of Japanese newspapers in Tokyo show coverage and photos of the Paris attacks on November 14.
Front pages of Japanese newspapers in Tokyo show coverage and photos of the Paris attacks on November 14.
Yoshikazu Tsuno/AFP/Getty Images
An electronic billboard on a canal in Milan, Italy reads, in French, "I'm Paris," on November 14.
An electronic billboard on a canal in Milan, Italy reads, in French, "I'm Paris," on November 14.
Luca Bruno/AP
The Eiffel Tower stands dark as a mourning gesture on November 14, in Paris. More than 125 people were killed in a series of coordinated attacks in Paris on Friday. People around the world reacted in horror to the deadly terrorist assaults.
The Eiffel Tower stands dark as a mourning gesture on November 14, in Paris. More than 125 people were killed in a series of coordinated attacks in Paris on Friday. People around the world reacted in horror to the deadly terrorist assaults.
ETIENNE LAURENT/EPA/EPA /LANDOV
Lithuanians hold a candlelight vigil in front of the French Embassy in Vilnius, Lithuania, on November 14.
Lithuanians hold a candlelight vigil in front of the French Embassy in Vilnius, Lithuania, on November 14.
Alfredas Pliadis/Cal Sport Media/ZUMAPRESS.com
Thousands gather in London's Trafalgar Square for a candlelit vigil on November 14 to honor the victims of the Paris attacks.
Thousands gather in London's Trafalgar Square for a candlelit vigil on November 14 to honor the victims of the Paris attacks.
PEAA/ZDS/Newscom/WENN.com
A woman lights candles at a memorial near the Bataclan theater in Paris on November 14.
A woman lights candles at a memorial near the Bataclan theater in Paris on November 14.
LAURENT DUBRULE/EPA/LANDOV
A man places a candle in front of Le Carillon cafe in Paris on November 14.
A man places a candle in front of Le Carillon cafe in Paris on November 14.
Jerome Delay/AP
A woman holds a French flag during a gathering in Stockholm, Sweden, on November 14.
A woman holds a French flag during a gathering in Stockholm, Sweden, on November 14.
JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images
Nancy Acevedo prays for France during the opening prayer for the Sunshine Summit being held at Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Florida on November 14.
Nancy Acevedo prays for France during the opening prayer for the Sunshine Summit being held at Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Florida on November 14.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
French soldiers of the United Nations' interim forces in Lebanon observe the national flag at half-staff at the contingent headquarters in the village of Deir Kifa on November 14.
French soldiers of the United Nations' interim forces in Lebanon observe the national flag at half-staff at the contingent headquarters in the village of Deir Kifa on November 14.
MAHMOUD ZAYYAT/AFP/Getty Images
A couple surveys the signature sails of the Sydney Opera House lit in the colors of the French flag in Sydney on November 14.
A couple surveys the signature sails of the Sydney Opera House lit in the colors of the French flag in Sydney on November 14.
Rick Rycroft/AP
A woman places flowers in front of the French Consulate in St. Petersburg, Russia, on November 14.
A woman places flowers in front of the French Consulate in St. Petersburg, Russia, on November 14.
Dmitry Lovetsky/AP
Candles are lit in Hong Kong on November 14 to remember the scores who died in France.
Candles are lit in Hong Kong on November 14 to remember the scores who died in France.
Kin Cheung/AP
A woman lights a candle outside the French Consulate in Barcelona, Spain, on November 14.
A woman lights a candle outside the French Consulate in Barcelona, Spain, on November 14.
Manu Fernandez/AP
Britain's Prince Charles expresses solidarity with France at a birthday barbecue in his honor near Perth, Australia, on November 14.
Britain's Prince Charles expresses solidarity with France at a birthday barbecue in his honor near Perth, Australia, on November 14.
GREG WOOD/AFP/Getty Images
The French national flag flutters at half-staff on November 14 at its embassy in Beijing.
The French national flag flutters at half-staff on November 14 at its embassy in Beijing.
Andy Wong/AP
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte after a speech on November 14 in The Hague following the attacks.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte after a speech on November 14 in The Hague following the attacks.
BART MAAT/AFP/Getty Images
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe becomes emotional after his speech on the French attacks during the opening ceremony of a Japanese garden in Istanbul, Turkey, on November 14.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe becomes emotional after his speech on the French attacks during the opening ceremony of a Japanese garden in Istanbul, Turkey, on November 14.
Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
A woman mourns outside Le Carillon bar in the 10th district of Paris on November 14. The attackers ruthlessly sought out soft targets where people were getting their weekends underway.
A woman mourns outside Le Carillon bar in the 10th district of Paris on November 14. The attackers ruthlessly sought out soft targets where people were getting their weekends underway.
Kenzo TribouillardAFP/Getty Images
People lay flowers outside the French Embassy in Moscow on November 14.
People lay flowers outside the French Embassy in Moscow on November 14.
Dmitry Serebryakov/AFP/Getty Images
Mourners gather outside Le Carillon bar in the 10th district of Paris on November 14. "We were listening to music when we heard what we thought were the sounds of firecrackers," a doctor from a nearby hospital who was drinking in the bar with colleagues told Le Monde. "A few moments later, it was a scene straight out of a war. Blood everywhere."
Mourners gather outside Le Carillon bar in the 10th district of Paris on November 14. "We were listening to music when we heard what we thought were the sounds of firecrackers," a doctor from a nearby hospital who was drinking in the bar with colleagues told Le Monde. "A few moments later, it was a scene straight out of a war. Blood everywhere."
Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP/Getty Images
People attend a vigil outside the French Consulate in Montreal. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered "all of Canada's support" to France on Friday, November 13, in the wake of the attacks.
People attend a vigil outside the French Consulate in Montreal. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered "all of Canada's support" to France on Friday, November 13, in the wake of the attacks.
Graham Hughes/AP
Police show a heightened presence in Times Square in New York on November 13, following the terrorist attacks in Paris.
Police show a heightened presence in Times Square in New York on November 13, following the terrorist attacks in Paris.
John Angelillo/UPI/Landov
People light candles at a vigil outside the French Consulate in Montreal on November 13.
People light candles at a vigil outside the French Consulate in Montreal on November 13.
Graham Hughes/AP
University of Nevada, Las Vegas, fans observe a moment of silence for the victims of the terrorist attacks in Paris before a basketball game November 13.
University of Nevada, Las Vegas, fans observe a moment of silence for the victims of the terrorist attacks in Paris before a basketball game November 13.
Sam Morris/AP
The house lights are shut off and scoreboard dark as Boston Celtics players pause for a moment of silence for the Paris victims before an NBA basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks in Boston on November 13.
The house lights are shut off and scoreboard dark as Boston Celtics players pause for a moment of silence for the Paris victims before an NBA basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks in Boston on November 13.
Charles Krupa/AP
People light candles at a vigil outside the French Consulate in Montreal on November 13.
People light candles at a vigil outside the French Consulate in Montreal on November 13.
Graham Hughes/AP
World reacts to Paris attacks

Editor’s Note: Laurie Segall is a technology correspondent for CNNMoney, covering Innovation and Entrepreneurship. This essay was previously published on Medium and Facebook.

Story highlights

Laurie Segall: I know that the streets we loved, the pockets we explored are aching with this tragedy

Terror makes no exceptions; as you pick up the pieces, I hope you know we are thinking of you

CNN  — 

To you, in Paris.

I wonder if you are still there.

A month ago, I met you in a tiny store draped with scarfs off a cobblestone street in Paris.

Laurie Segall
Laurie Segall

Blue and pink skies framed the Parisian streets, twinkling at dusk. People sat outside at cafes. I tried on a long scarf in your shop. You promised it looked alright on me, even though I’m an American and told you I had no idea how to drape a scarf in true French fashion. You laughed.

Days before, another one of you served me coffee and kindly said nothing as I scrambled for change. I was unsure what currency I was handing you. I was just off the plane. You were patient.

And then there was you, the man who juggled on the streets early in the morning. I was riding in a taxi from the airport. There you were. In the middle of traffic, you burst into the street and juggled pins in the air  –  three, maybe four of them. No one honked or asked you to leave. We all smiled, laughed. It was 8 a.m. You were a delight.

Later, I sat in the cafe where you were a waiter. You advised me on what to eat. I couldn’t read the menu. You were so lovely. You gave me recommendations and told me where to roam and get lost. You smiled because I was curious and you were kind.

I don’t know whether you guys are alright. If you were dining in one of those cafes or catching that show on a fateful night a month later. I never connected with any of you on social media. We didn’t exchange numbers. Just pleasantries.

But I left Paris fueled by your kindness, and now I sit in the States wondering whether all of you are still there. If any of you guys have lost your friends. If your friend of a friend walked out the door on a beautiful evening and never came home because of terror. Because of evil.

I hope every single one of you is alright. I know that the streets we loved, the pockets we explored are aching with this tragedy. As a reporter, my inbox is filled with names and pictures of people who lost their lives in this brutal attack. It could’ve been any of us. Terror makes no exceptions.

As you pick up the pieces, I hope you know we are thinking of you. I hope one day to return to those streets, to see you juggling, to buy a scarf I can’t drape and to laugh with you at my inability to translate your menu. I hope to see you all again.

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