Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

Whenever You Call…I’ll be There.

When I was a child, I had an incredible imagination, and with that came terrific nightmares. Many nights I woke up in panic-filled wide-eyed, my heart beating loud enough that any robber in the house could hear; I was frightened to the point of feeling paralyzed. My peace of mind came when I would cry out to my parents.

The evening pattern went like this:

DAD! Are you awake?

Yes, I am.

Don't go to sleep until I go to sleep, okay?

Okay, I won't go to sleep until you're asleep.

MOM!

Yes?

Are you awake?

Yes, I'm awake.

Don't go to sleep until I go to sleep, okay?

Okay, I won't go to sleep until you go to sleep.

DAD?

I'm here; go to sleep, Corey.

Writing these words, my eyes fill with tears. My parent's reassured me, night after night; they gave me their word faithfully and without ever seeming to be bothered by my need.

I would fall asleep, trusting my parents were there to protect me from harm.

(1900s Plaster Paris statue of Saint Joseph holding the Christ Child. When I bought this statue, I found a small note carefully tucked into one of the folds. The note was of long ago… a written prayer… pleading for God's mercy to protect their son during WWII. I refolded the note and trustingly placed it back.)

Comments

20 responses to “Whenever You Call…I’ll be There.”

  1. D

    That is such a sweet story. It’s such a comforting feeling when your parents are nearby to calm your fears. I miss my parents back in the US dearly.

    Reply
  2. Dawn

    This is just the sweetest story. I would say the same as D has…that it was a comfort to have parents to protect us as we grew up…such a sense of security…My own dear dad has been gone for awhile and now I have become the security for my mother…who is now very childlike in her mind.

    Reply
  3. lauren

    How can one use so few words in a blog entry and say so much? This I wonder everytime I read your journal.
    l

    Reply
  4. la vie en rose

    what a touching story…both yours and the story in the joseph. that’s one of the blessings of being a parent.

    Reply
  5. ms*robyn

    oh me too! I had the most awful nightmares and when I think of them, they still send shivers up my spine. we are so alike, you and I !!
    and I love the statue. I have been know to kill people for things like this *just joking* I collect them too. and that note ~ how precious that is. I often think when we read prayers, it is just like praying. so by reading that prayer, you have just sent a prayer to Heaven for that soldier. Do you ever wonder who he was?

    Reply
  6. Tongue in Cheek

    Tongue in Cheek responds:
    Robyn: I couldn’t agree with you more, reading a prayer is saying a prayer- words have power and o do actions..that is why I folded the note and placed it back where it belong.
    Lauren: I don’t know, I never thought of that, I have never been one short of words!
    Dawn and D: You know! The word “homesick” never is a childish word…sometimes home is the place we need.

    Reply
  7. Carol

    Aww what a touching story! You’re parents were so lovely and caring and that’s what all parents should be like to their childs!

    Reply
  8. misschrisc

    Oh Corey that’s beautiful. You make such wonderful connections.
    I love the note tucked inside the statue. *tears*

    Reply
  9. Nancy

    Bonjour! It was I who mentioned your lovely site to my French Chic sisters…I knew they would love it. Your photos are exquisite, and your prose is beautiful..since finding your site, all my days begin in a sweet, dreamy haze. I have a similar statue and your story of finding the note truly touched my heart and soul. Merci.

    Reply
  10. pamperedinparis

    what a wonderful site to gaze and awe.i love france you are what it truly is about americans miss so much when they are there. i also loved pompei but i felt s much saddness while therekeep writing

    Reply
  11. Autrice

    It’s amazing what haunts us as children – you had very loving and understanding parents. The statue is beautiful… could you take a full photograph of it for us?

    Reply
  12. Chelle

    That is such a sweet story. I always felt “safe” with my parents too. Something about knowing that if Daddy is around, everything is going to be okay. I still feel the same way, even as I am a mom now.

    Reply
  13. Becca

    A lovely story, and how lucky you were (and still are!) to have such wonderful parents.
    The sculpture and accompanying story are extremely moving, and so perfectly fit with your story.

    Reply
  14. Paris Parfait

    It’s so comforting to have one’s parents nearby, as your story beautifully describes. The statue with the note folded inside is a lovely, heartfelt story. When I was in Worcester Cathedral, there was a prayer board on which we could post little notes for special prayer at the next prayer service.

    Reply
  15. Kerstin

    This is very touching, Corey. I can see you being just like this with your own children, too …

    Reply
  16. Imelda

    What beautiful stories of parental care. Yes. They are there to protect us from everything, and that’s what they want to do. Simply beautiful.

    Reply
  17. Gemma

    Thanks for the sweet story.

    Reply
  18. Rob(briliantdonkey)

    Great take on this week’s prompt. It is funny the kinds of memories that stick with us from so long ago.
    BD

    Reply
  19. swampgrrl

    i like your take on scribblings this week. i used to do the same thing. hope your dad is well.
    big bear hug,
    moe

    Reply
  20. Megan

    The down side is having monsters…the up side is having your dad watching out for you. The dialogue is realistic. I could almost hear a clear bell-like child’s voice & a dad’s low-pitched murmur. nice.

    Reply

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