Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

Lunch with my Mother-in-Law

                           

I am in Rennes at my Belle-Mère’s home.

We have grown accustomed to one another,

The frost we use to feed each other has melted.

No longer does she find my ways bizarre, no longer do I find her insulting…

We serve generous helpings of forgiveness without uttering a word.

The table is prepared with care and ease,

my place is set and gladly I sit next to her.

Photo: A glass of wine, crusty French bread, Provencal tomato with walnut vinaigrette, a touch of parsley and "CB" the initials of my Belle-Famille.

Comments

49 responses to “Lunch with my Mother-in-Law”

  1. Britt-Arnhild

    Serving up kindness. Beautiful words dear Corey, and a very important reflection. God bless you and your family.

    Reply
  2. gracia

    Hi there Corey,
    Such sentiments and thoughts I think many can/will relate to…
    Enjoy that meal.
    take care, g

    Reply
  3. mary

    Beautiful sentiment.

    Reply
  4. Becca

    What an absolutely perfect place setting and luncheon. It is such a blessing when the frost melts and women in the family really love one another. Have a marvellous visit.

    Reply
  5. judypatooote

    Looks delious, and it’s great that the frost has melted, for life is too short not to enjoy each other……

    Reply
  6. Gardengirl

    “generous helpings of forgiveness” these words bring peace to the soul. Your meal looks lovely.

    Reply
  7. Carol

    That’s wonderful that you both have forgiven each others faults and have now grown together. Nothing worse than a dragon of a mother in law but I can just imagine how you have let her heart melt with your kind and loving character. Have a beautiful time chez ta belle mères maison!

    Reply
  8. Carol

    That’s wonderful that you both have forgiven each others faults and have now grown together. Nothing worse than a dragon of a mother in law but I can just imagine how you have let her heart melt with your kind and loving character. Have a beautiful time chez ta belle mères maison!

    Reply
  9. Jeanne

    “Forgiveness grows out of the wisdom of the heart and forgiveness is the heart of wisdom. Love for-ever-gives.”
    Michael J. Tamura,
    in “You Are The Answer” Emile
    If we are too busy judging people we have no time to love them
    ~Mother Teresa
    Love you darling one.
    Keep those lovely posts coming along each day.
    They are very much loved and appreciated.
    Love Jeanne ^j^
    Happy Magic Day
    Halloween!

    Reply
  10. Shannon

    I have so much to learn from you Corey. I treasure your wisdom especially in the other post about making a home in France.
    And with that, I must say that the table setting looks so simple yet incredibly chic and elegant. And the plating of the food is beautiful.
    Perhaps I have a lot to learn from your Belle-Mere too. 🙂

    Reply
  11. wilsonian

    “we serve generous helpings of forgiveness without uttering a word.”
    Oh, to live like this, and not just visit. Thank you for this!

    Reply
  12. Sheila

    No girl is good enough for our son, no mother can replace our own. If we are fortunate these prejudices will be overcome and we find that what draws a couple together is the very essence of the family that raised them.

    Reply
  13. teresa (maggiegracecreates)

    Corey, this is beautiful and I can relate so well. Only my acres of frost were coating the fields of my mother’s and my relationship. I am so happy that the beautiful rays of forgiveness have begun to melt that frost as well.
    Thank you for another beautiful start of my day.

    Reply
  14. susan

    and what a treasure you both have found in each other!

    Reply
  15. blackbird

    often it can take such a long time to get to that place…
    I don’t suppose I will be an especially generous MIL.
    ack.

    Reply
  16. susanna

    What an elegant table setting! It took several years for my mother-in-law and I to understand each other, too. Now we’re on such great terms that I can’t imagine not having her in my life.
    Happy Halloween from America, Corey!

    Reply
  17. Sheba

    Dit cou-cou a Monique de moi, stp.

    Reply
  18. DebR

    What a lovely post. And that photo is gorgeous! It should be in the encyclopedia next to “casual elegance.”

    Reply
  19. herhimnbryn

    Gentle grace said at table.
    Gentle grace gifted to each other.

    Reply
  20. Ulla

    Hugs to you, and happy vacation times! Miss you.

    Reply
  21. constance

    Your words move me. You speak about about saying “yes” to life and being in a state of acceptance.
    It ‘s so exhausting to swim against the flow of life, when there is so much to be gained by side-stroking in time with the current.
    To find love with one another… what a true gift.

    Reply
  22. helen Sattel

    Beautifully expressed! Love it

    Reply
  23. stephanie s

    such beauty, in the place setting and in your words.

    Reply
  24. Star

    It quite some time for the frost to melt for us, too, but things are fine now.
    Lovely table.

    Reply
  25. Marie-Noëlle

    Your words touched me, they really did, as I went through the same type of relationship with my “belle-mère”…
    We were 2 persons from the same country, speaking the same language … nevertheless we lived in different worlds!
    I would not use the word “frost” about our relationship, even though I always felt cold in her house…,I would rather use “lukewarm” or “warm at the surface”, if I may say so…
    Your picture takes me back to the meals we had at her house…I always had an impression of “still life”, like in some paintings…not the slight change, not the slight crease, not the slight laugh (only smiles)… same topics, same gestures, same poses…
    As I said, it was a different world from mine !!!

    Reply
  26. Lilly

    I am in awe of that place setting. It is so simple and elegant.
    My mother-in-law was wonderful to me. She’s my inspiration and I’ll attempt to be like her when my son chooses a wife!

    Reply
  27. cruststation

    French dining is just So divine, everything carefully laid out and the food looking like it’s from a posh restaurant, oh you are making me hungry!(I’m sure you are very easy to love…)

    Reply
  28. Veronica TM

    Oh, Corey! What you write is so touching to me. I can relate in many ways, being a foreigner, missing my family and my people, having trouble with my sister in law {my mother in law and I have had our moments, but get along}. This is my favourite post ever! {and I love the photograph too}.

    Reply
  29. Heather

    How lovely!!

    Reply
  30. Paris Parfait

    Such a wonderful way of putting it, Corey – “the frost has melted.” Lovely table setting as well. Enjoy your visit!

    Reply
  31. Acey

    where I come from, we call this type of transformative process “straddling two canoes”.
    Very beautifully, I might add 🙂

    Reply
  32. MB

    Your words and photo are beautiful. May more of us find such forgiveness and appreciation of each other.

    Reply
  33. annieelf

    Peace! Such a wonderful feeling.

    Reply
  34. gracie

    “generous helpings of forgiveness’… I love that!
    ps can I have the walnut vinaigrette recipe??? hehe

    Reply
  35. mary jane

    Love today’s post…isn’t it wonderful that the both of you have found a middle place that you can honor each other. Sadly, this was not so for my mother-in-law and myself. I would love to roll back the clock but now she is gone.

    Reply
  36. Teresa Sheeley

    The table setting and the meal look beautiful. Enjoy your visit with your mother-in-law.

    Reply
  37. ART TEA LIFE

    Wow
    Beautiful
    The Setting….
    Your Thoughts.
    The Scene.
    The Forgiveness.

    Reply
  38. mikaelah

    such a beautiful post. What kindness given comes back 1000 times 1000. Feeding each other from kindness. lovely.

    Reply
  39. pinar

    that is the best way to keep a relation with the family..
    I love the setting.. c’est chic..enjoy..

    Reply
  40. naturegirl

    The crutiness of my mother-in-law faded between us
    long before she passed away.I am thankfull for the peace and
    love we shared.

    Reply
  41. Amber

    Good! Because she is blessed with you.
    😉

    Reply
  42. Melba

    What a lovely way with words you have. I am happy for your peace. and what a yummy lunch!

    Reply
  43. Linda Harre

    Well done! Love always wins…..

    Reply
  44. miss*R

    you know Corey – if you ever write a self help book or a book of life – I definately want a copy! I am putting my order in now x0
    If I could take but one leaf from your book . . .

    Reply
  45. swampgrrl

    what a beautiful post about the evolution of a relationship, framed by the breaking of bread.

    Reply
  46. simple me

    The way you put words into those feelings make me reflect about some relationships which surround me.

    Reply
  47. Colette

    Time mellows us and our differences, if we allow it. You are beautiful.

    Reply
  48. Mary Anne Davis

    Beautiful!

    Reply
  49. mary ann

    your in-laws are lucky to have you in the family!
    glad that time melted the frost…

    Reply

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