Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

The Keys to Happiness

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….really do unlock doors.

Photo: The front door of my childhood home, where the keys hang on the outside of the door.

Note: We arrived safely, thank you for your many good wishes. The loooooooooooooong flight was made longer by a three hour wait, in the plane, before take off due to a thunder storm in Chicago. While we waited in the plane, the man next to me ate M&M’s, one by one he crunched them ever so slowly. That is my all time pet peeve, hearing someone eat when I am not eating. Then compound that with lack of sleep, lack of elbow room, a journey already 24 hours long…I kept whispering; Willows it is worth it, it is worth it, it is worth it….

Comments

57 responses to “The Keys to Happiness”

  1. marita

    dreadfull these long flights and dear fellow passengers next to you 🙁
    the keys were hanging there for quiet a while, waiting and welcoming you all to turn them and be safe inside. home at last!!

    Reply
  2. Paris Chocolat

    So sorry you had travel delays 🙁
    But a big new M&Ms store has opened in New York.
    Shall we send you ammunition for the return flight?
    “Always be prepared” is the scout’s motto…

    Reply
  3. Katy

    Don’t get to travel much, myself – I haven’t even been on a plane since 1975! Coming home is always good, though – enjoy your visit. I did drive to San Antonio twice last year – my favorite place. (Strange what annoys us, isn’t it? One of my pet peeves is stage whispers. They make me want to scream! That said, maybe I should stay off planes.)

    Reply
  4. Catalina

    Enjoy your holidays!!!!! kiss everybody a lot! and have fun!
    I love this part of the USA!

    Reply
  5. Pauline Clarke

    Looking forward to accompanying you virtually on your stay in CA and then back home again. You’re on my soil now and I’m waving to you from the East Coast.

    Reply
  6. Jeanne

    Amen how I can relate after our long journey to Asia……….
    travelling wears me out…………and patience we must have lots and lots of patience.
    Love you
    Jeanne
    Enjoy every ounce of your visit!

    Reply
  7. My Melange

    Thank goodness you arrived. How many years do you get for choking a man with his own M & M’s?

    Reply
  8. Ann @ Holy Experience

    Keeping your eye on the key, and the door it unlocks: that’s the key.
    So you did: “Willows is worth it.” — and so the doors have opened wide! Bliss!
    Have a restorative vacation, Corey!

    Reply
  9. Lilly

    Welcome back to CA and to your family and to your native tongue.
    How did you manage to STAND the 3 hrs on the plane with the m&m cruncher? A few years ago, after waiting to take off for an hour and a half, I just couldn’t stand it another minute and my son and I got off. At the time I didn’t care about anything except getting off that plane. Luckily, the airline was sympathetic and let us take the same plane the next day… and we had relatives in the town we were leaving that we could stay with one more night….

    Reply
  10. Hasmin

    Not a very big fan of long flights, let alone annoying passengers…yes, Willows (home) is worth it!

    Reply
  11. berrie

    ick! I myself suffered through a flight exactly like that out of o`hare yep due to fog we were kept on the runway for 3 hours as well…I thought I was gonna go loco! patience does indeed wear veeeeeeeery thin!Glad you made it home and I bet by now you’re feeling ‘yeah! it was worth it! xoxo

    Reply
  12. Cre8Tiva

    this reminds me of dorothy in the wizard of oz…there’s no place like home…there’s no place like home…wishing you restful nights and playful days and your own m&m’s to crunch…blessings, rebecca

    Reply
  13. shabbyinthecity

    Oh I think you have earned an extra cookie today! I know every family moment will be worth all the hoops you had to jump thru to get home!

    Reply
  14. Laura at Blame It on Paris

    That is the hardest part of having two worlds, the exhausting travel to see family. But I’m glad you’ve arrived and enjoy your time there! I love the keys, what a beautiful idea. Did you bring those keys back to your family from France?

    Reply
  15. Genevieve

    You made it!
    The sparkling beauty of Northern California, the love of your family, the sweetness of summer in the country – ahhh, it’s all yours now. Breathe it in!
    I wish for you a wonderfilled holiday and happily welocme you back to your native soil. Yumm-o el burrito y cerveza! (Hadn’t thought of that – I’d miss it too.)
    Welcome Home!

    Reply
  16. cruststation

    So glad you arrived safely! I can imagine how annoying the flight must have been for you, but at least you have weeks of fun to look forward to.

    Reply
  17. dkmp9293

    Our paths must have crossed in Chicago yesterday! I was also delayed at the airport for a short time in the evening because of the T’Storms. Enjoy your time in CA–I’m looking forward to your upcoming tales!

    Reply
  18. Grad

    So glad you got there safely! I also wanted to let you know I nominated you for a Thinking Blogger Award – thanks for the way you make us all think about things in a new way. Have a wonderful time while you’re stateside!

    Reply
  19. beachy

    I am glad your trip was a safe one! Enjoy your family time!!!
    Hey, America, Corey is home!!! =)

    Reply
  20. tut-tut

    Willows sounds worth the trauma!

    Reply
  21. susan

    happy landings!
    i will be sending you something there…
    susan

    Reply
  22. rochambeau

    I’m sure Willow’s is happy you’re Home Corey!!
    How’s that first bite of burrito and sip of beer?
    Sorry about Mr. M&M’s.

    Reply
  23. Mary

    Sitting on a plane, waiting, makes me so anxious, but 3 hours of it while listening to someone crunch their M&Ms one at a time would make me a crazy person! At least you weren’t flying with toddlers to try to keep still during that wait!!
    I’m glad you made it safe and sound!

    Reply
  24. Beverly

    I’m so happy that the long trip is over and you arrived safely.
    Airplanes! They can be frustrating, can’t they!

    Reply
  25. carolyn

    Yes, Willows it’s worth it…Have a happy time with your family and friends. I’m sure your mama has some cookies baked and waiting for you. Love that the keys hang on the outside of the door.

    Reply
  26. Gypsy Purple

    Oh Corey….enjoy every moment….it is these memories that we live and survive from

    Reply
  27. angela marie

    You are home! It does not surprise me that keys hang on the outside of door to your childhood home.. what it symbolizes.
    Enjoy!

    Reply
  28. heidi

    hooray! so glad you’ve landed on your home land safely…and i’m sure the weariness of the long journey has melted away, now that you’ve been loved, fed, and rested! enjoy xo

    Reply
  29. carole

    Hi Corey:
    And Shelley will elated to see you : )
    Love the keys and the door.
    Take care and have fun
    carole
    Glad you had a safe, albeit long, trip

    Reply
  30. Steph W

    What a fantastic photo – incredible. Have a great visit and thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  31. Carol

    Greetings from Maine to you and your family in California. Have a wonderful time making happy memories.

    Reply
  32. Lorene

    Corey,
    Glad to hear that you made it safely. I would have lost it if I had to sit in an airplane for 3 hours just waiting! And as soon as I saw the picture you posted this morning, I knew it was your Mom’s door and I didn’t even need to read the photo description. 🙂

    Reply
  33. Elizabeth Meredith

    Air travel just plain stinks these days! I would have clenched my fists so tightly that my nails drew blood if I had to sit next to that man!! Now it is all over and you can relax and enjoy being home again. God bless you.

    Reply
  34. AnnieElf

    Happy Landings Corey and welcome home. Now sleep!!

    Reply
  35. Dawn

    I’m so glad you and your family arrived safely! Hope you get plent of good rest and enjoy every moment with your family ~ xxoo, Dawn

    Reply
  36. Rosemary

    Oh Corey,
    I hate that too!!!
    Glad you arrived safely.
    Rosemary

    Reply
  37. shelley

    heck yeah its worth it…… i cant wait to see all of you….

    Reply
  38. Lisa

    Happy that you made it home safely, if not a little ruffled. I know that you will enjoy your family time and we will be gifted with some beautiful photos and fun stories.

    Reply
  39. Star

    Glad you arrived safely (without harming the man next to you).
    Love the keys 🙂

    Reply
  40. Jeannene

    I am so glad you made it to your most precious destination!! I also live in California, even though near the Sacramento area, I still feel so close to you…well..”yeah” compared to France..
    Enjoy your time here,
    hugs
    Jeannene

    Reply
  41. Blue

    The keys to your past too! I hope FrenchHusband massaged your feet after that long journey. Give your nephew a kiss he is adorable! Oh and throw a hug in there too.
    xo
    Blue
    (Enjoy your time with the family!)

    Reply
  42. carlene

    glad you arrived safely, albeit tediously, lol! Have a wonderful time with your family!

    Reply
  43. Frieda

    welcome to home! we are so close now..I am in Southern California. Please let me know if you travel South , I would be happy to help anyway I can.

    Reply
  44. Sally

    Hurray hurrah, you’ve made it home! I’m sorry for the long ordeal and the M&M muncher in your ear! (saying softly and hoping you will overlook it, I too am an M&M muncher, oh the shame of it!)
    I just read Frieda’s post … yes please, let us So. Cal. gals know if you make a trek down our way and feel like coming out to play. We’ve got some excellent vegetarian restaurants and desserts to tempt you with down here. 🙂
    Wishing you all a wonderful vacation!

    Reply
  45. pam aries

    I am happy to hear that your flight woes are over and you can now unlock the door to
    play..and EAT..talk and Frolic! My all time pet peeve is people chomping , chewing… cracking GUM nonstop!

    Reply
  46. LisaOceandreamer

    So happy that you landed safely – especially after that LONG arduous flight!Now is the time to melt in to the familiar warmth of home and hearth…sleep and ENJOY the family! Welcome Home!
    It’s amazing to think you are now only a mere 2 1/2 hrs away.
    XOXO
    Love,
    Lisa

    Reply
  47. tommiea

    I would have at least offered you some….glad you are there safely.
    btw, I still have the key to the first classroom I taught in….the building was built in 1904…before Oklahoma even became a state!

    Reply
  48. Liz Ness

    Best wishes for a better return flight and for a great visit! PS: Awesome photo…love the texture!

    Reply
  49. Gail

    So have you had your burrito and cold beer yet?
    xoxo
    Gail

    Reply
  50. deirdre

    So sorry the flight was so long. Yes, home is always worth it. Welcome back.

    Reply
  51. Mrs.Staggs

    I’m so very glad you’ve arrived “home” safely Corey. I love the symbolism of the keys on the outside of the door.
    Take care.

    Reply
  52. Betty @ She’s Sew Pretty

    I thought I was crazy because I can’t stand to hear people chewing either. We’re having beautiful weather here in this part of California. I hope you are too!

    Reply
  53. susanna

    Glad you arrived to your destination safe and sound. Sorry to hear about the m&m man. How annoying was that?! I was once stuck on a train with a man who tore strips of newpaper for 10 hours straight! Agh! And then he proceeded to try flushing all the strips down the toilet. Eventually noone could use that washroom. Double agh!

    Reply
  54. Nanette

    I’ve been reading your blog for about a month now. You inspire me to be thoughtful about what surrounds me each day. I’m up in Sonoma County and just wanted to welcome you home to California. Enjoy your family!

    Reply
  55. Alison Whittington

    I am so glad you made it safely.

    Reply
  56. Lynda

    Travelling for 24 hours is never fun ~ glad you arrived safe and sound.

    Reply
  57. snowsparkle

    chicago is a terrible place for air travellers… i had a similar experience (though it occurred at the end of my journe). i have vowed to avoid including chicago in any flight plan. it was a nightmare. sorry to hear you had that experience as well.

    Reply

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