Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

Being Brave by Sitting Still

                      Chair_3

Late at night when the hospital room grows dark and the sounds that can be heard are mechanical beeps, humming, and alarms– unfamiliar sounds that do not allow peace of mind. Where the noisy chatter which promises healing sounds anything but that, I search for a path to lead me away. 

It is at that moment that I look at my father’s eyes, his tenderness, and I see his hands moving in prayer. Oh the gift, oh the courage which opens his heart creating a room in which we can enter. The space within, the solace it brings the only place where I can stay sane. I run and take shelter in his faith wondering if I will ever learn to be brave?

…ah the dark night of the soul which seeks the light held from the other side…

Comments

35 responses to “Being Brave by Sitting Still”

  1. melly

    You already are……

    Reply
  2. Tammy

    Corey,
    You are brave…but at times we all question. Just know that God will provide the brightest light in those times when we feel not so brave. He will be your strength. I am still praying.
    blessings and love

    Reply
  3. Shannon

    Corey, when you had cancer, you faced the same uncertainty about your future as your father currently has.
    You are the bravest person I know. Your heart is still full of light after all of the darkness you faced.

    Reply
  4. julie christie leary

    Still here…still listening everyday.

    Reply
  5. nancy

    you’re a giant corey..
    love nancy

    Reply
  6. elainey

    …courage isn’t not feeling afraid…courage is staying when you are afraid…you are already there…blessings and prayers for you and your daddy…laney

    Reply
  7. Caty

    you and your father. Brave and beautiful. Giving us hope that we can be brave as well.
    with you

    Reply
  8. thomas

    Dear Corey- I will send an email to explain but we are also still in the hospital. I want to first tell you that I am grateful for you and your big heart- that in the midst of your roller coaster ride you think of my daughter and us. I am grateful for thoughts, prayers and emails. You already know that you are not alone- know that you and your Papa are also in our thoughts and prayers. Everyday this week Sophia has been allowed to go out to the patient garden in a stroller- and on the way out each day we have stopped at the hospital church to light a candle for your Papa. Much Love to you, Elsa

    Reply
  9. clarice

    Corey I am so sorry your father is suffering so much. But I am thinking what an amazing witness his faith and strength is to everyone. How God must be with your father. Love Clarice

    Reply
  10. stljoie

    Oh Corey…words fail me. I pray for comfort for you and yours.

    Reply
  11. Dorian Fletcher

    Thinking of you, Corey. Your memory of walking with your papa brought tears to my eyes. It is very hard to watch someone who was once a pillar to you in declining health. He is a lucky many to have created a beautiful, loving family to help him through this journey.

    Reply
  12. Kristen R

    While in the dark remember all of us are thinking of you (all of you) and praying deeply.
    XOX
    Kristen

    Reply
  13. Paris Parfait

    The dark night of the soul can be very long indeed. Sending much love, hugs and prayers to you and yours. xo

    Reply
  14. ally bean

    Sitting there accepting what is, you become nothing and everything all in the same moment, don’t you? I remember. My prayers are with you.

    Reply
  15. Nel

    Corey you have left me speechless. God bless, love and prayers continue. Nel x

    Reply
  16. Ellen Cassilly

    Corey,
    Keep breathing. As my wise sister always says – acceptance is freedom. It may not be a pleasant freedom but I feel that your father has found this freedom. I send my love and courage, Ellen

    Reply
  17. happycalm

    God be with you, sweet Corey. I’m praying for you all right this minute.

    Reply
  18. lyn

    I’m thinking of you and your dear family.

    Reply
  19. annie

    sounds like you have indeed found your center! sending love…and hugs….mmmmmmmmmmmm!

    Reply
  20. Pat

    Dear Corey, I cannot begin to tell you how much it means to me to come here. I gather strength from your words. You are amazing!
    We continue to keep your dad and family in our thoughts and prayers.
    Pat

    Reply
  21. Bramble

    Corey- Your Father sounds like a man of courage and grace, even now he is teaching you, leading by example with his faith and love. In those quiet moments much is said and sometimes words are not enough. It is often said but oh so true ” To love and be loved is the greatest gift on earth”. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

    Reply
  22. Vicki

    Corey, you brought tears to my eyes…your strength and love are amazing. Your father is such a man of faith and love…I am praying for you and your family. May God’s love and strength be with you.

    Reply
  23. Marva Plummer-Bruno

    Corey – I continue to pray for all of you and come to check your blog to get updates. Your strength amazes me. Marva

    Reply
  24. Gillian

    Corey
    I am in awe of you. Thanks for sharing this emotional and very private journey with us. You are helping so many people, I don’t know if you are aware of that.
    Your personal journal is OUR personal journal.
    xo
    Gillian

    Reply
  25. Melissa’s Cozy Teacup

    Hugs and prayers, hugs and prayers.

    Reply
  26. Lisa-Vet

    God Bless You Corey. Mucho,Mucho Love.

    Reply
  27. Karen C

    Not commenting much but thinking of you so much.
    After reading your thoughts today all I could think of was the beautiful refrain we sing on Maundy Thursday as we strip the altar in readiness for Good Friday, they are quite literally Jesus’ words to his disciples.
    “Stay here and keep watch with me. Watch and Pray.”
    I wish I could sing it to you as it has an almost lullaby feel to it and I have found it so comforting in some of my darkest hours.
    You have someone with you, watching and praying always, Corey. Take strength, bravery will come when you least expect it.
    with much love, Karen

    Reply
  28. Betty C.

    You are going through so much. I hope these beautiful posts you are writing help you to keep your head straight and your thoughts together…bisous.

    Reply
  29. M-Noëlle

    ‘Bless him.

    Reply
  30. Suzanne

    Miles, miles away Corey… without even knowing you in person… I can see your *braveness*. You are Corey. You are brave.
    Joining you in prayer.
    Love*

    Reply
  31. Miss Sandy

    Walk in the light of your fathers bravery Corey, he will show you the way through his example of courage.
    Eleanor Roosevelt:
    You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.
    Courage is being scared to death… and saddling up anyway. ~John Wayne
    Courage is tiny pieces of fear all glued together. ~Irisa Hail
    You have the courage, it comes through in every post!

    Reply
  32. amber

    You have to know you are brave, Corey. You are, because being brave is just keeping on keeping on, when life is hard and sucktastic. You ARE brave. But you are more. You are loving and true. That is the blessing you give your dad that allows him to rest in his Faith. He knows he is loved, and can more easily feel the peace that comes through his prayers.
    🙂

    Reply
  33. Alexandra

    Just witnessing faith in action is strengthening. Isn’t it beautiful?! Strength is not turning away, but looking right into the eyes of God.

    Reply
  34. Claire & John Hamiter

    Hi Corey,
    I read your blogg and I am amazed at the grace in which and your entire family is handling this life
    change.
    Your Mother has always shown in so
    many ways she loves and respects
    your Dad. I remember how proud she
    was to display his
    Navy uniform in
    the window of the shop. She told me how handsome he looked and I
    believe she said that the uniform
    still fit.
    I only hope that I can be some brave and fortunate.
    Claire Hamiter

    Reply
  35. Deb L.

    Sweet girl – tears in my eyes as you give words to similar circumstances with my own dearest Dad… my thoughts and prayers stay with you and your loved ones. Tender hugs coming your way… Deb

    Reply

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