Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

The Gift of Shelley

Flowbluemediumpitcher

Love knows no bound, nor does it wait for the right moment. Love challenges and begs us to join the race…even when we are in last place and without running shoes.

Flowblueteacup

Love does not care about our weaknesses. It extends its hand, shakes the dust off of us, kicks us in the behind and puts us in place. It does not give up.

Flowbluesugarbowl

Love does not count the wounds. It doesn’t shout out fear. Love does not put a lid on itself. It does not rest safely in the bleachers. Instead it stands strong, unwaivering and bold. Shouting out…LIVE!

Flowbluewaterbucket

Love is made evident by the courage and grace that my friend Shelley shows in the face of death. Shelley is living proof that love can move mountains, she refuses to give way to ALS. She isn’t meek. Instead she shows me that love is tough and that those who embrace love are heroes…in her I see the guts of beauty.

I will miss you Shelley, and trust I will see you again.

Photos: Shelley’s flow blue collection.

Comments

54 responses to “The Gift of Shelley”

  1. Marie-Noëlle

    How on earth can I write a word here? Any comment upon this post would be insipid! There is so much in it!
    Beautiful message and beautiful pictures for your beautiful friend!!!

    Reply
  2. Hasmin

    Corey, ((HUGS)) to you and Shelley.

    Reply
  3. tlchang

    Beautiful tribute, Corey. It is so inspirational to know people like your friend.

    Reply
  4. Mrs.Staggs

    At times, love very quietly, and gently accompanies us.
    My love is with you both.

    Reply
  5. Mélanie

    Beautiful message of LOVE .You are such a special person , I guess all your friends are too . You will miss her but you will see her soon ..because she will wait for you
    Mélanie

    Reply
  6. Beverly

    What beautiful words you found to describe your friend. And what an inspiration Shelley is to all of us!

    Reply
  7. My Melange

    You are a dear and special friend, and I am sure Shelley can’t’ wait to see you again and will think of your special freindship to get her thru her tough times….

    Reply
  8. Nora

    Much love to you both. xx

    Reply
  9. Shannon

    It must be so hard saying goodbye to Shelley. I know you want to stay there and make sure she’s OK. She will be 🙂

    Reply
  10. Mo’a

    Your lives are truly blessed to have such love.

    Reply
  11. jzr

    Here’s to LOVE and your friend Shelley!! Keep up the good fight!!

    Reply
  12. carole

    Corey & Shelley:
    je t’adore
    peace
    carole

    Reply
  13. AnnieElf

    Dearest Friend, Corey. I will be forever grateful to have met you. Your sprinkling of fairydust over my head drew me into Shelley’s life and made a huge difference in mine. Safe journey to you and Sasha and Chelsea as you all wing your way home and back into Jan’s loving arms.

    Reply
  14. Ulla

    Sweet Corey, this is a stunning tribute to a woman with enough love to sustain us all! Enjoy your celebration Shelley!!!

    Reply
  15. Elaine

    Corey, there are no words but in their place a song from my heart.

    Reply
  16. annie lockhart

    hey dear one…how special the time was…the memorie etched into my heart forever. thank you so for sharing shelley and her sweet family with me and the other special women. it was so special to finally meet you after a year of daily inspirations…til next time…mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!! big hug!
    xo…love ya!

    Reply
  17. martina

    amen.

    Reply
  18. delphine

    Very beautiful. And I agree, your friend Shelley is a true hero. I wish her peace.
    Delphine

    Reply
  19. Lea

    Meeting you beautiful Shelley, is forever a part of me. Thank you Corey for bridging our worlds so that we can know Shelley and she can come with us into cyberland. It’s a Full moon today, and it is full of love for you Shelley…

    Reply
  20. Lorene

    Corey,
    Just beautiful. And Shelley is such an inspiration. She is truly amazing. 🙂

    Reply
  21. Donna O.

    Thank you for introducing us all to Shelley a while back. As I mentioned to you, I will forever think of Shelly when I see Flow Blue.
    Donna

    Reply
  22. qualcosa di bello

    what a beautiful tribute!

    Reply
  23. Rosemary

    Corey,
    Shelly is such a special person!! I do admire her.
    I love your words and photos! Travel safe!
    Rosemary

    Reply
  24. Sharon at American Harvest

    Corey and Shelley,
    Friendship like yours is rare and wonderful, a valued treasure. Thank you for the opportunity to glimpse into your worlds and be blessed. There are no words rich enough to express the love of two friends…..you just know.
    Sharon

    Reply
  25. Anastasia

    such a beautiful tribute to your dear friend Shelley…i love how you’re posts is accompanied by her favourite things!!!

    Reply
  26. rochambeau

    God Bless Shelley. And God Bless you too Corey! You are both beautiful loving souls!

    Reply
  27. Cheryl

    Corey, How beautiful! You’re words remind me of 1 Corinthians chapter 13, known as the love chapter…so inspiring. Cheryl

    Reply
  28. Nicol

    What a path you two have followed ..both in different directions but sharing all the same and flowing blue in your friendship. xoxo N

    Reply
  29. Dee

    The Love Chapter in the Bible (I Corinthians 13) “Corey’s version”…wonderful words to live by! Thanks for sharing! My prayers are with you both!

    Reply
  30. ParisBreakfasts

    Shelley, like her exquisite collection of Flow Blue, touches us deeply with her inner strength and beauty.

    Reply
  31. Alice

    What a beautiful tribute to such a wonderful friend. Your words are always so touching, so meaningful!

    Reply
  32. shelley

    Corey, thank you for the kind words you spoke of me…and thank you for being the friend that you are…i will treasure our friendship forever…PS my flow blue looks great, doesn’t it…

    Reply
  33. BOSSY

    Bossy is relieved to know love doesn’t have anything to do with her running shoes. Pee-uuuu.
    (beautiful as always)

    Reply
  34. Paris Parfait

    A wonderful tribute to a very special woman. Lovely photos as well.

    Reply
  35. lila

    Beautiful blue and white and a a beautiful true blue friendship.

    Reply
  36. eb

    so
    absolutely
    beautiful
    and
    powerful
    so beautiful
    so flow bluetiful
    so beautiful Corey
    so beautiful
    xox – eb.

    Reply
  37. Jeanne

    Love and hugs and many prayers……
    Love Jeanne

    Reply
  38. herhimnbryn

    ‘…the guts of beauty.’
    Ah, Corey I needed this today. I have a friend who is pushing us all away. Now, I will gentley push back.

    Reply
  39. gracie

    Every time I see ‘flow blue’… I will think of you, and Shelley. There is life that goes on in the hearts and sings through the words of those that have loved.

    Reply
  40. Lisa ‘Oceandreamer’ S

    This was such a beautiful post Corey. It is your kind of “Frister” love that makes the heart
    sing, that makes the soul dance – that makes the forever possible.
    I’ve read other tributes to this remarkable woman – how wonderful for her to know so many love her.
    sending love to YOU,
    Lisa
    XOXO

    Reply
  41. Stephanie

    ..and in you, a dear friend, is surely a well to draw this strength from.

    Reply
  42. Blue

    You Corey are a true friend.
    You trust that you will see your friend again; you have given her strength by trusting in her ability to fight this awful disease. Your faith in her will move mountains as well, make no mistake.
    xo
    Blue
    You’re wonderful!

    Reply
  43. kristen robinson

    Amazing Shelley I was thinking of your dear friend the other day wondering, hoping and praying for her!
    XOXO
    Kristen

    Reply
  44. Cleopantha

    Thank you and Shelley for sharing .. May blessings be showered upon you both.

    Reply
  45. wendy

    Hi Corey,
    They say you can know someone by seeing who and what they love. Through your words and her beautiful flow blue dishes i almost feel like i “know” your friend Shelly, and she feels to be such a beautiful soul. Praying for her peace and comfort, and your own…
    Paix,
    Wendy

    Reply
  46. Sally

    Oh Corey! What a beautiful post for your beloved Shelley. Thank you for sharing your love of her with us, it is a gift to witness. And thank you for sharing a glimpse of Shelley’s shining spirit with us, you are an inspiration Shelley.

    Reply
  47. carolyn

    YOu are an amazing friend Corey and Shelley is an amasing person. Yes Shelley your flow blue looks ownderful! Bless you both! Beautiful post.

    Reply
  48. Cherie

    Like you Corey, your words, your love, your thoughts are beautiful!

    Reply
  49. marita

    beautiful blues and comments on a dear friend.

    Reply
  50. susan

    Many many blessing to Shelley. Through your loving and honoring descriptions of her, she has touched me so very deeply. Much peace,
    Susan

    Reply
  51. Ellen Cassilly

    Corey,
    It’s been a few weeks since I checked in with you – too long. Shelly’s is a beautiful soul. I am so happy to think that you two had so much time together this summer. what a blessing.
    Soft landings back in France.
    Ellen

    Reply
  52. Tina

    This is a beautiful post~ beautiful Flow Blue! I’m happy Shelley came into my life…

    Reply
  53. Holly Myers

    In the heat of a California morning,
    Shelley’s Flow Blue …
    left me with feeling chilly with goose bumps!
    Shelley is amazing.
    Her outlook on life and love
    have certainly kept her alive.
    May we gain strength and courage
    from her example.
    May she know that she is loved
    and that she has given so much.
    All of which will live
    within each of us!
    Corey…
    thanks for sharing all you do!
    Love
    Holly

    Reply
  54. frenchgardenhouse

    Shelley,
    Thank you for allowing Corey to share you with us. You have touched many with your spirit and your courage, and your love of life and loving spirit.
    I look forward to having Corey write new chapters in you “friendship journal” again next time.
    Lidy

    Reply

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