Stories Collected While Living in France
My thoughts are swirling with emotion and memory, in and out they come like a tide that swells then crashes on the beach and is slowly pulled back to the sea. The flood gate of who I am opens and endless water rushes forth, at a speed that I cannot contain. I am finding it very hard to post…my mind and heart are far away… drifting- drifting- eventually coming up for air on a distant shore that I have not walked upon.
I know how difficult this must be for you and be reassured you are on my mind oft times during every day
Corey, I’m praying for you and your family. May God be with you.
Hi Cory –
I haven’t been here for awhile. I just read through some of your last posts to catch up – Oh, I am praying for you and for your family. I read your post about your husband going back and you staying with big fat tears in my eyes. I KNOW. I KNOW how you feel about leaving, about missing things back home.
Please take care!!!!
Corey, life is strange. That’s all I can say for sure about it, life is just strange. Hope your father gets better soon so you can rejoin your husband (not that life is as simple as that), I can not even begin to imagine being in the spot you’re in. The plus side I suppose to being stuck in the middle of all kinds of wonderful family who need you…is having all kinds of wonderful family who need you. 🙂
Oh Corey! so difficult times and so cherished as well: family, love, life, memories.
I hope your father will feel better soon. My thoughts walk with you and your family.
Bisous chère Corey
I understand…
You cannot walk up the main road all the time… and when at a crossroads, you have to make your way up: turn left? right? … even on the road straight on, there may be ups and downs … or long bends…
Have a pause when you feel like it… just enough to “pump” you up and to allow yourself to walk on…
My thoughts are with you – sometimes as a soul mate and very often under your sole, walking along with you…
You’re in my thoughts daily. 🙂
Corey, I am so impressed that you have managed to post all through this emotional time and generously shared your experiences with us. Don’t worry if sometimes you find you don’t want to – everyone here will understand if you need a rest from words. You owe yourself some quiet time too, to catch up with this new place you’re in and breath in and out a few times to find out where you are. Thinking of you with love.
Your words always stir my heart, especially today… love and prayers are with you Corey.
I love you my darling friend.
Continued hugs and love and prayers
I am here for you always.
Love Jeanne ^j^
Corey, we will survive if you cannot post. Sometimes one must go inside and get quiet and find a way to survive and heal. Take care of you, focus on your family, and know that we are here with you – and will read when you can share again. Personally, I feel very fortunate that you have shared so much through this process, and wondered how you found the fortitude to do so.
you can not know how you will feel until you walk this path…..be kind to yourself, don’t push it. my continued thoughts and prayers for you and your family.
Christine
oh what memories can do, yes? still, we are not merely who we remember we are, we are who we dream we will be. it is so difficult to practice detachment when we are caught in the whirlpool of emotion. perhaps you can use your posts to help you step out of the maelstrom, writing about future hopes rather than memories?
Life is certainly an emotional rollercoaster. I am praying for you during this difficult time. Focus on yourself and your family….we love your posts but will understand if you cannot.
Corey,
My thoughts are with you. I know this must be the hardest time for you. This too shall pass. It is always darkest before the dawn…
your words are so heavy with the journey right now…no matter what you can or cannot do, love & the prayers are a quilt woven together to hold you through this. remember the Spirit intercedes for us with groanings when we cannot. holding you in love…
Dear Corey,
Yesterday’s post was a valiant attempt, at dealing with life’s lemons. But in today’s, I feel you slipping… And I wish I could hold out my arms and gently catch you… and gently hold you and rock you. For a little while.
But all I can do is say, please don’t worry about posting here, unless or until it is truly a help to you. If we love you, which we do, we will not want you to post ~ when it becomes painful. Or when it is not a good release for you, in this difficult time.
Go with your heart, and with that not-pretty-sounding ‘gut feeling’ thing. Let it tell you what’s best for you, now. Please…
We continue to send thoughts of strength and love, your way. And those who pray, are praying. Please take your time. We’ll be here…
Gentle hugs,
Mari-Nanci
Corey, we continue to hold you and your family in prayer. I do hope you are granting yourself some alone time. You do need to breathe, deeply…and feel your own pulse.
Having your family leave for home and staying behind has to be a heart-wrencher. While I know you must be here to be with your family as your Dad slowly heals, your heart went with them. I’m keeping you tucked in my prayers – you and your whole family.
Youtube videos come in handy when I have writer’s block!
i made your “lemon” sauce yesterday. thank you! love the walnuts in it reminds us of california.
matt loved your pics too recently of northern ca, he still loves the rural area where he grew up. he is still trying to guess the town where you hail from!
so sorry about your feelings you’re writing about today…….love & prayers
kara
I have enjoyed your blog for a long time and feel compelled to finally post a comment. My father got endocarditis which led to kidney failure 2 years ago. He was in the hospital for 8 weeks. I live in another state and was flying back and forth during that time, leaving my 4 children with my husband. I would stay for about 8 days, go home for a few and fly back. My heart was breaking for my kids and my Dad. My Dad was in much pain, would not eat and had one complication after another. It was an incredibly dark and exhausting time, worst in my life. Thanks to a supportive husband, my loving children, great siblings, and wonderful friends, and lots of praying…I got through it. Hang in there and sending you prayers.
Dear (((( Corey))), our thoughts and prayers are with you. Love Clarice
Wish there were magic words to make it all better. Hope you take comfort from all the people here and elsewhere in your life that care so very much about you.
Prayers, Corey, your way always.
annbb
Peace of mind and heart to you, dear Corey. Prayers and love surround you.
As the sun rises this morning so will your spirit! Sit in the sun for a few minutes…you will feel the energy seep in.
Praying for extra strength for you and your family today.
Corey,
Perhaps it is time for you to take a break. We will all still be here when you come back if you should decide to do so. Still holding you in my heart.
Sending love your way.
So sorry Corey.
Thinking of you and yours.
Love,
Constance
If you don’t post, it’s alright were still here for you friend!
oh corey!!! i will call you tonight!!!!!!!
love nancy
Corey- I wondered how your heart must be breaking…having your family so far away while you are with your father. It never does get any easier no matter how many times I have done this. My husband is gone again….the second time since returning from his deployment. You would think I know how to do this! I don’t. Hang in there, you are in my thoughts!
Dear Corey,
As you walk this difficult time (as Quakers say) I will hold you in the light. May the light warm you and comfort you. You are precious to each one of us. Please take care of yourself.
Marilyn
Thinking of you and praying for you often.
You brought some tears to my eyes today, sending you much hugs and love and prayers!!
Teresa
xo
You have been given a – You Make My Day Award – at my blog today – Well deserved my dear
Corey,
As others have said, please don’t be concerned with posting on here. You’re going through an incredibly tough time, and we all understand. Though your posts are so interesting, we can make do with going through the old ones. 🙂 Praying for you, of course.
Today I hope your heart and mind can drift to a place where there is peace and contentment.
I cannot imagine what you are experiencing right now. Please know that many are thinking of you and we would not mind if you take a well deserved break.
fond regards,
shirley
Wherever you may drift, we are there waiting for you. Continued prayers for you and your family, Corey.
Corey,
you and your family remain in my prayers…
I know this is a difficult time for you with your father so ill and your family back in France…
But you are not along…God is with you…
{{Hugs}}
Mimi
Continuing to send up prayers each time my fingers touch the pebble in my pocket. Allow your feelings to ebb and flow, knowing that we will all still be here.
sending you a big hug and peace and some sunlight to feel on the top of your head and through your body so that you are warm and safe…
You’ve given so much to all who read… it’s time for you to take care of you and yours.
Post when it strengthens YOU, and only for that reason, we wont forget to think of you and send loving, fortifying thoughts your way.
much love,
lauren
Really it is amazing that you have continued to post through this time with your dad and being so far away from your family. I cannot imagine. Right now I think it is really important for you to take care of you first so you’ll be any good whatsoever for your family. We won’t go anywhere. You can count on that. We love you so much. You bring great joy into our lives. The last thing we would want is to be another burden for you. Do what you have to do to be your self.
Corey, you shouldn’t feel as though you have to do anything on here at all…if your readers are loyal.. (and I think they are)…they don’t expect it. They will check back from time to time to see how you are doing… no matter when it is. Take time for you and yours…..
hugs, V.
We are here for you Corey!!
Don’t feel like you have to post everyday.
We are still here no matter what.
Hugs to you and yours!
Rosemary
Hang in there, Corey. Remember that you are loved. And so many people are praying for you and your family. It’s okay to take a break from blogging, too. We’ll still be here.
Remember Corey…we are here, all of us! You are in a hundred prayers and under numerous wings! You and your family, you are safe and in all of our prayers.
lending you my wings.
I’m so sorry that this is such a difficult time for you and your family. You have been on my mind constantly…and yet I haven’t really been able to find the right words to comfort you. Isn’t that silly? I know that it isn’t the “right words” that count, but merely knowing that people care.
Hope days are getting better for your dad.
Dearest Corey, please take care of YOU. There are exceptions to the rule of writing every day. this is one of them. Love, Colette
Sometimes it’s hard to put feelings in words … take time for you, don’t pressure yourself to write. When you feel like writing, the words will be there for you. As always, you are in my prayers. ~ Lynda xo
Dearest Corey – My mom recently died after a brief battle with cancer. I can somewhat understand the agony you are experiencing watching your parent become so ill. Although we don’t know each other, I wish I was there to offer a comforting shoulder to you. I will pray for peace for you and your family.
This is a difficult period; keep breathing.
Be strong, Corey.
We love you*
I truly feel that this crisis, at this point in your life will change you in ways you cannot imagine. Listen to yourself, listen to your heart. The feelings, the memories, feelings of lost opportunities, comings to terms with who you are and the life you have built for yourself will all be jumbled up for awhile. Take it slowly to unravel this knot.
– Suzanne, the Farmer’s Wife
Corey, pray that the air around you steadies..take heart. Take a break too, as others have said..unless posting daily is good for you. Becky/Butte county
Continuing to pray, and wishing for words to comfort you. May you find a time of peace each day, and may God bless you and your family.
Corey,
Your family is in my prayers. Take care.
Denise
Corey,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Lorene
We may feel dicouraged,then a refreshing,kind of like a hard winter rain,along with the sun and the most beautiful rainbow!my wish for you my dear friend.Take care with love, Rene’
Post as you are able, Corey. And know that your “presence” here is not a requirement for our prayers…
Awww Corey!
You know how much you’re loved by readers across the globe and how everyone wishes to give you hugs and make you feel better so I don’t need to tell you that again. Just remember you’re always in my thoughts and prayers especially during this hard time.
Ria xxxxx
Hi Corey, You writing is pure poetry!
I can hear the waves!
I keep thinking of You and Your family.
Hugs
Liisa
the world you have become to know these past decades is suddenly changing, swirling around in your mind, mixed emotions of what was, is, will be…
the certainty what has been, the uncertain future still to come.
when, how, where??… thinking of you!
I so totally agree with Constance. We will continue to hold you and yours in our thoughts and prayers. If you don’t post for awhile, that’s okay, too, dear.
xo Lidy
xoxo
Dawn
You have been on my mind a lot lately. When I return home from the hospital which is only in the next town, and I can curl up with my kids or husband, I think of you so far away from yours.
I also just finished Almost French by Sarah Turnbull, and throughout the reading, I thought of you. Of course, you seem very different women, different nationalities even, but some of her reflections reminded me of your lovely blog. I’ve wondered if you’ve read it.~~Dee
Just know that I am one of the many who think of you and your family and hope you find peace and comfort. Thank you for continuing to post such beautiful words that stretch beyond what you ever could have possibly intended to mean.
I’ve been following along and am hopeful for you and your family. My Mom is being put in a home this week because she has Leukemia and is in the final stage of Liver failure. She isn’t given much time and I am just devastated, but grateful that I know and can get in quality visiting with her in these last days/weeks/months…boy months would be wonderful, but they give her less than that.
Anyway, my good thoughts, good wishes, prayers, healing thoughts are all sent you and your families way, and of course to your father.
Take care,
Mahala
Let your heart and mind drift where they will. The body knows how to cope, if we let it.
Thinking of you and your family, and remembering you in my prayers.
corey i am drifting to that distant shore with you…it has been a devestating time on the other side of the country as well…i’ll pray for you if you prsay for me…love, rebecca
sending you love…
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!
…sending love and prayers your way.
a.
I can imagine how you are feeling Corey…having gone through what you are with my Father and with my Mother also…they are still with me through the miracle of modern medicine and prayer.
I admire that you have been able to share with us how you are feeling and being so open, at a time when most people would stay in bed with the covers pulled over their head.
You, your Father and Family are in my prayers.
As singer Anna Nalick says…”Breath…just breath” and perhaps it will help you be a better swimmer on that distant shore…for you and your family.
you’re entitled to miss a post now and then, especially during this time. I’m giving you the tightest ((hug)). Thoughts and prayers always…
Praying for peace and strength. Let the waters of the sea buoy you. Float, rest as you need to… and do take care of yourself.
Carol
Corey, hopeful thoughts and many prayers continue to be sent. Maybe you can go to your favorite childhood spot at your parents’ place, out of earshot of your Mom. Take a big box of Kleenex and a teddy bear and just let it all out. A good cleansing cry session all by yourself is a good emotional release and necessary. Imagine us, your many friends, with our hands surrounding you. We all want to cushion you and give you support during this very difficult time.
Surrounding you with prayers . . .
God bless you~
Cindy
Checking in on you and sending warm thoughts.
XO
D.
I have hundreds of angles I’m sending your way, can you see them? You and yours are in my prayers each day dear Corey.
Like that beautiful rose climbing the wall, each bud shall open, the heady scent shall linger as the petals reach towards the sunlight.Then with the passage of time the petals will begin to fall but alas dear Corey there is another bud waiting to share its beauty too.
You have brought us laughter and made our eyes fill with tears.Let us bring you some strength at this difficult time.Your printed words are not needed, we shall share through spirit.
XO Susan
Dear Corey,
I know you are going through an extremely difficult time; just remember you are loved with an everlasting love from above, which is with you always. And the number of comments you have received proves that many, many people are praying for you & your family, & sending you all the love they can. I wish I could be there to cry with you & give you hugs. I will continue to keep you in my thoughts & prayers.
Whether you post or not, our prayers are still sent your way. In fact, I think they’re coming from all directions! God be with you, and with your family here in CA and there in France.
Dear Friend…sending warm, comforting thoughts your way,
Julie
I already wrote you don’t have to post . We are here ,and we are with you . Thinking of you . Sending hugs up North to you ! Take care .
May you feel sheltered by heaven today. . .
God bless you~
Cindy
no stories, no advice…
I’m simply sending love *
prayers and
my heart….
xoxox
Corey, I found this poem for you, I hope it speaks to your heart as it does mine.
Calm me, my God, and keep me calm,
Soft resting on thy breast:
Soothe me with holy hymn and psalm
And bid my spirit rest.
-Horatius Bonar
I think of you often and pray for you, your dad and your family without ceasing.
Hello,
My name is Natalie, I am 28, single and I live in Canada. I came across your blog one day…..and I would like to tell you that it has blessed me. Blessed me when I need to relax, blessed me, when I need to be reminded of life’s little pleasures.
Thank you for sharing your joys and struggles, as well as, the fun times, and the hard ones. Your children, your husband, your friends, the rest of your family, your neighbours and aquaintance’s are all fortunate to have you in their lives.
Thanks again for all your sharing,
Natalie
(((Corey)))I wish that you could feel the hugs I’m sending.
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Me, too, all of the above. Trust that your readers will be waitingfor your return when the time comes. God bless.
I have nothing new to add that others haven’t already said…
so I’ll just send (hugs)) your way. 🙂
My heart and prayers go out to you and your family. I went thru this with both my parents already and it’s still impossible to express in words how difficult that was. Please don’t feel you have to. We understand. xox
Dear Corey, I am at a loss for words, we love your family like our own, our prayers are with you.
I continue to pray while you continue to stay strong.
Mary X
I simply want you to know that you and your dear family are in my heart, everyday. And each comment written here is a piece of all of our hearts, sent to strengthen you, to uplift you, to catch your tears, to understand your fears. And, post when you feel ready, when you feel the need for the therapy that posting gives you.
Peace be with you, dear Corey.
I completely understand how you feel. Taking sometime for yourself right now would be a really good thing.
Prayers and Hugs! Nancy
Corey,
You and your family continue to be in my thoughts and prayers and I know that God has a special place for all of his faithful and that his light is more beautiful and wonderous than any we could ever imagine.
~elaine~
Keeping you close to my heart in daily prayers.
xxxooo
…Always in my thoughts and prayers.
Corey,
I wanted to post to some words to a song that bring me comfort. It’s “On Eagles Wings” by Michael Joncas. I’m thinking of the words in respect to your father and the next few days.
This is just part of it. . .
You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord,
Who abide in His shadow for life,
Say to the Lord, “My Refuge,
My Rock in Whom I trust.”
Refrain
And He will raise you up on eagle’s wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.
For to His angels He’s given a command,
To guard you in all of your ways,
Upon their hands they will bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
Refrain
And He will raise you up on eagle’s wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.
Dear Corey I wish you and your family all the strength and love you’ll need now and send over all my best wishes for your dear Dad!
I’m thinking of you!
Hugs Carol xox
Dearest Corey sending you much love, blessings and positive prayers to You and Yours … now and always xxxx
Dear Corey,
I have walked in to join the circle of love surrounding you now. To say thank you for all of the the joy, the beauty, the laughter and even the tears you write of each day … You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. One day at a time …
Deb
Toronto
Dear Corey, my heart goes out to you. My thoughts and prayers remain with you all.
Pat
My Dear One,
Your committment to posting every day has always amazed me and especially during this testing time for you and your beloved family.
If you can in all this, take some time for yourself, sit, be, breath deeply, walk, whatever.
My thoughts are with you.
You are one of the stongest, yet most compassionate women I know. May your faith, and love of family sustain you.
You are in my thoughts and prayers..
love
Sheila
xx
Dear Corey, I wish I could gently wrap you all up in my arms. Thinking of you all and sending hugs and prayers.
Much love, Sally
Beautiful, beautiful, beautifully written.
peace be with you.. xoxo
May that soothing light shine upon you and your loved ones.
Dear corey, I admire your commitment to post everyday in difficult circumstances. Hope this space provide you with strength, love and embrace -may our virtual hugs bring times of refreshing.
Thinking of you at this difficult time…
xxCarolg
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