Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

With Each Heart Beat

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Img_0567 My father’s illness is complicated. The doctors and nurses are amazed how he has survived this long. My father though far from going home is off the breathing machine. He is extremely weak- though not in pain. His heart and mind remain strong and alert, though they have never been a problem. He cannot move but is starting to lift his forearms and voice. His lungs remain coarse and frail barely keeping infection at bay. He is a fighter and tough as nails most people would have caved in to the test of endurance that his body has gone through. Long is the journey ahead of him, he is far from out of the woods. It is evident that he has been reborn a million times during these two and a half months.

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I am nervous writing this not wanting to speak too soon or jinx the outcome…

Following the signs of spring though in the midst of winter, she took the first rose pinning it to her breast. With each beat of her heart the perfume rose guiding her steps.

Comments

47 responses to “With Each Heart Beat”

  1. Britt-Arnhild

    “Following the signs of spring……With each beat of her heart the perfume rose guiding her steps”
    Beautifully said Corey. You are an artist with words.
    I keep them in my heart this Sunday, the first day here in my Nordic Blue Garden when we can have our morning coffee outdoors.

    Reply
  2. pauline

    Hope is never amiss, TICA. And miracles do happen. Hoping that you get the one you and your father both want.

    Reply
  3. Pam Aries

    I am sorry I haven’t been visiting too much. I am in the midst of a big move and going to Sedona next week to meet some bloggy friends. It is so good to hear that your father is off the ventilator. This has been a long and winding road for you…I think of you ans send you good thoughts! ))))

    Reply
  4. Candy

    Thank you for the update on your father, Corey. Thank You, God, for answering our prayers. Keep him strong and continue to heal this precious one.

    Reply
  5. Shannon

    That dad of yours is something else!! I hope now with him off of the ventilator, he’ll be able to gain strength faster.

    Reply
  6. Cheryl in California

    Corey! God answers prayer.

    Reply
  7. wilsonian

    Love is a potent perscription 🙂

    Reply
  8. Jeanne

    Our priest talked about how his Father cared for his Mother for many years during an illness and went to her bedside constantly when she was in the hospital. After our priests Mother died he asked His Father how much longer he could have endured.
    He said son for Love you will endure forever~
    My love and prayers and hugs and kisses to you and yours both near and far.
    God’s most divine blessings to you all.
    Love Jeanne
    X0X0

    Reply
  9. Leslie Garcia

    Dear Corey,
    Such wonderful news! It made me think of a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt…
    “You gain strength,courage, and confidence by every experience in which you truly look fear in the face…you must do the thing you think you cannot do.”
    May roses shower you today!
    Peace,
    Leslie

    Reply
  10. Cat

    With each heartbeat we celebrate the moment and take the next step.
    God bless.

    Reply
  11. anna

    Wonderful news, Corey! My prayers continue.

    Reply
  12. Betty @ She’s Sew Pretty

    Might be that your dad has one more motorcycle race left in him. He certainly seems like a strong, maybe stubborn, Portuguese man! Bless him!

    Reply
  13. Beverly

    Wow! I’ve been worried every morning when I check in,and though I realize that there is still quite a way to go, it sounds as if your father is headed in the right direction. That’s amazing!

    Reply
  14. vintage moon studio

    Continuing to keep you all in my heart and prayers – xox Deb

    Reply
  15. annieelf

    My thoughts are with you as I visit each morning. Love, Annie

    Reply
  16. My Melange

    A Spring Miracle.

    Reply
  17. Ellen Cassilly

    We will keep praying for you. It is a long and dimly lit path. But a paths with manyy lessons, miracles and revelations.
    Frank’s father just started hospice yesterday. Please keep him in your prayers as well. Ellen

    Reply
  18. Carol

    This is wonderful news, Corey! I will continue to pray for all of you, as you face each new day and it’s challenges.
    I’ve heard it said that God’s timing is perfect, that being said, I don’t think you can jinx anything.

    Reply
  19. Nancy ~ Fete et Fleur

    It is a beautiful day here today and reading your post has made it even more beautiful. Our hopes and prayers are with your father.
    Blessings! Nancy

    Reply
  20. Dorian Fletcher

    Judging from the photo of your father in your previous post, he has the look of someone with a very strong spirit and much character. May this onset of spring give your whole clan the uplift it needs and your papa new strength. Thinking of you, Corey.

    Reply
  21. Di

    You and your family continue to be in my thoughts and my best wishes to your father….I first came across your blog on his 80th birthday last year and was so touched by your love for him – I am willing him on…….

    Reply
  22. angela

    It has all been said so many times before but I am still in prayer for all of you and I know this will sound strange but even tho’ I have never met any of you, really don’t know any of you, I can honestly say that I love you and your family. While I find it hard most days to love the people I do know much less strangers(even though I know God commands me to do just that), at times I think God allows it to be easy and come naturally with some people and I thank him that you are one of them!

    Reply
  23. Star

    Take each small whisper of hope and magnify it with your nourishing love. Your father’s strength is obvious and I welcome the good news you have shared. 🙂 Blessings to you and your family as you allow the renewal of spring to breathe new life into the tender growth emerging in your father’s health.

    Reply
  24. Mimi

    it is quite obvious that God is not through with your Dad yet…He still has something for him to accomplish on this earth…It is amazing the stamina that one can exhibit when one is as ill as you dad…But God is still in control..and His will be done.
    praying for your family…
    Mimi

    Reply
  25. beachy

    Tis a sign of God’s love in action! Hugs and blessings to you and your family, Corey!

    Reply
  26. Deborah

    I found your website last night and thought it so lovely! I was so touched by the love and devotion that your family has for one another. You are such a great comfort for your Dad at this time. Reading it made me cry, as today is my father’s 78th birthday. My brother, my sister and I took him out to Sunday brunch this morning and I felt so blessed to have such wonderful parents, who have given me so much. I truly thought about you and what you are going through, and want you to know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

    Reply
  27. colleen

    I wrote a post like this one in the fall of ’05. One was up and the next was down, then up again. He fought everything off and then on the first day he got up had a blood clot (after being in bed so long) that likely took him.
    Blessed be. xo

    Reply
  28. colleen

    I wrote a post like this one in the fall of ’05. One was up and the next was down, then up again. He fought everything off and then on the first day he got up had a blood clot (after being in bed so long) that likely took him.
    Blessed be. xo

    Reply
  29. Rosemary

    He is an amazing person!!! I hope he gets better and better. Sronger each day!!
    Your words are always a work of art Corey!!
    Thinking of you everyday!
    Rosemary

    Reply
  30. Suzanne

    Keep the faith Corey. I’ll keep sending my prayers to the encounter of the sweetest rose in California.
    Love*

    Reply
  31. Miss Sandy

    Corey,
    Progress is progress no matter how slow it seems. I am rejoicing with you as your father inches forward! Keep hoping, keep believing, and keep praying, I am!

    Reply
  32. Marge

    Hi Corey!
    It really looks like your dad just isn’t ready to leave yet.It’s wonderful that he is now off the breathing machine.My thoughts are with you and I continue to pray for your dad.

    Reply
  33. Liz Ness

    Oh, here’s another quick prayer for your and your father to find your way home — happy and healthy once more!

    Reply
  34. Jen

    I was reading the May 2008 issue of Romantic Homes and reached your blog, through the web address given in the magazine, to inquire if you had anymore of the estampes left for sale. As soon as I read your post, I knew I had to respond. Last year at this time, my family was waiting to find out what kind of heart problem my Dad had. He had run marathons, always taken care of himself, eaten right, was only 59, etc. so his heart problem came as a total shock! I remember crying all the way home after he told us with my six month old in the back seat cooing away, totally oblivious to what was going on. The next six weeks were a whirlwind – they needed to stent one of the arteries in his heart but if that didn’t work, and there was a good chance it wouldn’t, he would have to have bypass. We waited with bated breath and every time he went for an appointment felt like an eternity. It was the longest six weeks of my life. Thankfully, the stent worked and a year later he is fine 🙂 I will definitely keep you and your family in my thoughts and I wanted you to know that sometimes these things do work out and have a happy ending 🙂 Definitely made me take stock of what is important in life in a hurry! I’m glad I found your blog – so eloquent and elegant – I’ll definitely be a regular reader. And … if you have the time to get back to me some day, I would be interested in buying some of the estampes if you have any left 🙂

    Reply
  35. Debbie

    Hi Corey!
    I found your blog a few months ago, and it quickly became my favorite. Loving and desiring the french lifestyle, I could taste a bit of what I have yet to actually experience myself, through you.
    I visit almost daily, and hold my breath every day as I open your blog. A few years ago we went through something similar with my grandmother. The doctor could not promise us her next breath, he was certain the end of her life was at hand. My sister and I tag teamed sitting with her at night. She had apnea with nearly every breath and I held my breath wondering when would be her last. The fight in this frail thing apparently never subsided and she pulled herself up out of that. We had her for a couple of years after that, and when she went we were at peace it was her time.
    I continue to pray for you and your family, and I bless your precious French family for allowing you to be with your American family at this time. I also think it is amazing you still have a thing to give to us. Thank you!

    Reply
  36. Lisa-Vet

    Still with you Corey. God Bless You. Give your Dad a big Hug.

    Reply
  37. tommie

    when you wondered about our deployment….who knew you would be seperated from your rock just a few short months later?

    Reply
  38. Elaine L.

    I’m one of those readers who holds her breath each day when I open your post.
    My dad is 85 and with all that he’s gone through, my heart is with you Corey. My dad is much better, but I know that sooner than later, I will be where you are, again.
    Love and Prayers to your dad and your family.
    ~elaine~

    Reply
  39. Merisi

    Remember, “Hope is the thing with feathers”, and wings are made of feathers.

    Reply
  40. Barbara

    Love and hugs to you and your family. Gentle hugs to your Dad.
    Barbara

    Reply
  41. Marie-Noëlle

    Your post brought a ray of poetry into my long sportive day yesterday…
    Nice to spot your perfumed rose of hope pinned up your breast… while I was getting showers of yellow tennis balls!

    Reply
  42. Terri

    Wonderful news!
    Between all the prayers and the spring weather, I hope he’ll be stronger soon.
    If you won’t consider it an intrusion…I would be extremely vigilant that EVERYONE who walks in his room washes their hands well. He doesn’t need any more germs to battle! You know?
    God bless.
    Terri

    Reply
  43. karen

    Bravo……I hope your father gets stronger with each day. So many of us are pulling for him.

    Reply
  44. Wendi Kelly

    Corey,
    There is a such thing as the power of prayer and miracles. Hang on tight to them.
    I am smiling for all of you and this news.

    Reply
  45. Lynda ~ Hedgerow Hollow

    Wonderful news, Corey! Believe in the miracles … they really do happen!
    xo,
    Lynda

    Reply
  46. JO

    How lucky …your father… to have such a … caring….daughter… I am sure your presence helps him take each small step towards progress… love and prayer know no bounds
    HUGS
    JO

    Reply
  47. Muriel

    I believe in miracles!! Good news Corey.
    Love to you and your family!

    Reply

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