Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

Love Unconditionally

Thehandsofprayer

What is love? That famous question that seeks an answer, over and over again.

The last time I saw my Grandmother, she stood behind me and embraced me. I laughed telling her it was a funny way to be hugged good bye? She hugged me tighter, and than whispered in my ear:

"This is how my Mother embraced me, when I left the Azores, to come to America. When I open my arms, you are facing your destiny, your future, and I’m behind you letting you go. That is love, letting others be who they are, standing behind them, and loving them all the more.

When my Grandmother opened her arms I saw what she meant.

Love unconditionally, easy to say, harder to do.

Photo: French antique statue of Mary holding faded roses. Love never ends. How do you answer the question about love?

"The Perfect Relationship" by LEMONETTE.

Comments

48 responses to “Love Unconditionally”

  1. ilva

    So true and just the way my parents loved me. I wish and hope I’m managing to love my children in the same way. A big hug to you Corey! I don’t comment often but I always read your posts!

    Reply
  2. nel

    What a beautiful story…how precious it is to let go of the ones we love to let them find their own wings. Nel xo

    Reply
  3. Lee

    Lovely!

    Reply
  4. Britt-Arnhild

    Your grandmother was a very wise lady.
    I wrote a love letter to my daughter back on February 19, when she and her boyfriend split apart.
    I know this letter, and the comment it got (I posted the letter in my blog), meant alot to her. She copied both the letter and the comments in her diary.
    She is smiling again today and has become a stronger, wiser young woman through her experiences.

    Reply
  5. freefalling

    Aren’t those of us who are fortunate enough to experience unconditional love, lucky people? Some people can go through their entire lives without ever knowing that security and comfort.

    Reply
  6. Marie

    Quel précieux et généreux souvenir !

    Reply
  7. cruststation

    What a loving moment, beautiful words (interesting thoughts on the perfect relationship).

    Reply
  8. ParisBreakfasts

    Letting go with love.
    How many of us had families who understood this concept?

    Reply
  9. sheila

    Cory your avó grande was a wise and generous lady. To say goodbye to someone you love and not know when you will see them again, to wish them well unselfishly, knowing you will feel the loss of them..that is unconditional indeed.

    Reply
  10. tut-tut

    What a wonderful grandmother. And a wonderful image of her behind you, with her arms around you.

    Reply
  11. constance

    Your Grandmother’s wisdom was strong and wise. I’m sure her love was infused into you.

    Reply
  12. patpaulk

    Corey this is beautiful!! So much insight, so much love!!!

    Reply
  13. Marie-Noëlle

    So I have to work hard at this if I want to show how much I love my children…
    I tend to let them go with one arm and to keep hold of them with the other one…
    Yes, this WILL be HARD,… VERY hard for me !!!

    Reply
  14. sophie

    the photo is so moving to me and
    your post.
    I think I have to re-commit every morning
    to loving unconditionally –
    true love is true work and
    so pure of heart.

    Reply
  15. Kit

    That story brought a lump to my chest of aching understanding for the future, of how a mother’s love has to evolve to the point of letting go – facing your children towards their own future.
    Beautifully told, Corey.

    Reply
  16. Dawn Edmonson

    Oh Corey, so very beautiful and well said…I can always count on you touching my heart when I stop by ~ Dawn

    Reply
  17. Paris Parfait

    Your grandmother’s philosophy is wonderful and certainly memorable. Thanks for sharing her wisdom.

    Reply
  18. Regina Clare Jane

    I have a hard time letting go… but this story of your grandmother will help me now.
    xo

    Reply
  19. Acey

    Beautiful picture and post. What a rare and beautiful gift of wisdom and strength your grandmother gave along with her hug. How generous of you to share it with us – that, too, seems unconditional …

    Reply
  20. bluevicar

    Another story of life and love…thank you.
    Meilleurs voeux!!

    Reply
  21. Amy

    I hope it is okay for me to save this entry…print it out, and frame it? Your grandmothers words….beautiful. I needed to hear this very much today…that there ARE people who offer unconditional love…

    Reply
  22. Alison Whittington

    Wow.

    Reply
  23. Dana Smith

    As I’m fast closing in on my 25th Anniversary…….Lemonette just plain nailed it.
    Dana in VA

    Reply
  24. Linda Harre

    As always…..hitting the nail on the head…Your grandma sounds like a wise woman! Love this post Corey!

    Reply
  25. Jann

    I couldn’t have said it better………but, you have! Thanks for your lovely words once again….

    Reply
  26. Blue

    …and unconditional love frees both the giver and the receiver. There is no feeling in the world like it.
    xo

    Reply
  27. kimberly Carney

    Oh, Corey, that was magical, reading your history and seeing you … magic, inspirtation mixed with shock and awe 😉
    My grandmother was so important in my life … and I still talk to her almost everyday, even though she has been gone many years now. She is always with me, trying to walk with me when she could hardly do so. But my favorite memory is the last time we spent the night together. We always slept together when I visited, and the last time with my baby son was no different. On a lumpy, hard, fold-out sofa bed, we fell asleep holding each others hand. With Matt in the middle. She was my center of gravitity.

    Reply
  28. lila

    What a beautiful way to hug someone and send them out into the world feeling strong and affirmed! My grandparents left Europe to come here, as children. My great-grandparents never saw their homeland or relatives again…so the story of the hug touches my heart! I also love the photo of the statue of Mary that you used with the story!

    Reply
  29. Gypsy Purple-Chamara

    What awesome words!!!!
    This is so precious…..

    Reply
  30. kristin

    the simple words of the incredible wisdom of our elders. this post is so lovely and so heartwarming and quite a lesson on love and giving…thank you for sharing it.

    Reply
  31. Flights of Fab Fashion Fancy

    Corey, Love Lemonette!! She’s wonderful! Thanks, Bronwen

    Reply
  32. Colette

    Love doesn’t stop because we don’t see each other.

    Reply
  33. Anastasia

    oh I love what your grandmother said to you…wonderful!
    I just did a collage about a girl leaving by boat…I wondered how she felt leaving her family…
    At the touch of love everyone becomes a poet…love that quote

    Reply
  34. David Santos

    Merci pour toi travaillent et ont une bonne semaine

    Reply
  35. shabbyinthecity

    It IS hard to do. I can’t always accomplish loving myself! But I do love this photo!

    Reply
  36. Shannon

    I think I’ll hug my kids from behind from now on.

    Reply
  37. Beachy

    Many times I find myself hugging, but never wanting to let go (though I know I must)!
    My uncle’s family is from the Azores, Corey!

    Reply
  38. Lorene

    Corey,
    The story brought tears to my eyes. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  39. eivlys

    Corey , every time I blog , I STOP by tongue in cheek and each time I just love reading your life and feelings the way you apprehende life is so close to mine , Gosh I hope some days we ‘ll get the opportunity to share a nice hot cup of tea after the market on a saturday morning “Place des LICES “!
    Take care
    Eivlys

    Reply
  40. jessica

    oh that is so beautiful.

    Reply
  41. Andrea S.

    Such truth and beauty in your words. As always, Corey, thank you for sharing. It brought tears to my eyes.

    Reply
  42. candy

    This is an amazing story of love and letting go. I find it really interesting that you put a photo of Mary with it. She was a master at this, wasn’t she? I think I must have needed to read this today. Thank you.

    Reply
  43. cre8tiv

    Your grandmother’s words are so wise, and I will especially take them to heart as I am just starting to send my sons out into the world. What a wonderful, symbolic way to convey love and trust.
    I have really enjoyed reading your posts. I have visited Paris three times, yet it is never enough!

    Reply
  44. minnie

    Corey……….. your grandmothers goodbye should be the story of a book you never want to put down, a tale of how life should be, a reminder of the path we might follow….thank you

    Reply
  45. Veronica TM

    what beautiful and wise words! you are so right, i think my little guru {little fiona} is giving me an intensive course on unconditional love.

    Reply
  46. Amber

    It sounds like the fruit did not drop far from this tree, Corey dear. What love and tenderness.
    🙂

    Reply
  47. Alexandra

    Beautiful!

    Reply
  48. Marilyn

    This post made me tear up…because it made me realize that I’d never thought about that moment before…the moment when my Great-Grandparents left the Azores. What a HUGE risk that must have seemed…to move nearly half a world away… Beautiful post.

    Reply

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