Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

Gathering Wisdom

Img_0504 Img_0502_3 Img_0505

I feel compassion from those of you who have left comments on my blog, especially during this time with my father's illness. Many of you have experienced a similar journey, and your reflective remarks on life, love, growing older, letting go, faith, and saying goodbye… have helped me and others.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts, your generosity of prayers, and your steadfast support. It has been and continues to give me hope.

                                            Img_0515_2

When I first learned about my father's illness, I thought I would stop blogging. I thought since my blog was about my life in France and my French antique addiction that is writing about my father would change it drastically, and few would be interested in hearing about such sadness. But I realized that blogging about my emotions and experiences helped me cope and stay in touch. Plus, my blog is about my journey, whether in France, with antiques, or suffering.

Img_0504_2

What an extraordinary feeling it is to have your support. To know that there are people I do not know but feel connected to, to sense community, to be able to share what I am feeling and feel understood. Thank you for sharing my journey and, at the same time, sharing yours with me.

What wisdom is gathered by listening, exposing oneself to the universe, and having light come and touch the path ahead with grace and gentleness?

How could anyone doubt the power of loving one another?

"It is only with one's heart that one can see clearly. What is essential is invisible to the eye."

"On  ne  voit  bien  qu' avec  le  coeur.  L' essentiel  est
invisible  pour  les  yeux ."
 
Antoine de Saint-Exupery, The Little Prince (Thank you, Lisette.)
 

Comments

53 responses to “Gathering Wisdom”

  1. Sarah

    Corey, part of why I read your blog is you, your take on things. So now you are writing about a more personal time and I appreciate your sharing that with us as much as your sharing the fabulous things you see, do, find in France. My thoughts, prayers continue to be with you and your family.

    Reply
  2. Jeanne

    The greatest gift is people loving people and when we love we are but one step from Heaven~
    God bless you and yours real good.
    I love you
    Jeanne
    Your photographs and words deeply touch my heart~
    I love you

    Reply
  3. michelleb.

    Corey,
    I appreciate all that you share. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think about my father who passed years ago. I wish I had had the wisdom, the sense, to have spent more time with him when he was ill. Your perspective has opened my eyes to many things. It is all knowledge that I will hold in my heart and pull from in the future as life happens.
    Michelle B.
    Thanks you so much.

    Reply
  4. Ria

    We’re all still praying for you Corey 🙂
    xxx

    Reply
  5. Leslie Garcia

    Dear Corey,
    Your journey is Holy One…and you are making it with such grace…we are all blessed to be here to witness it with you. I am counting the days with you…it will get bettter!
    Peace,
    Leslie

    Reply
  6. Mary

    ……………it’s all about friends, friendship, that’s what friends are for etc. etc. I feel the connection to you and your family, here and in France, even though I’ve never met you in person – but hope some day I will!
    You will never know how much beauty you have shared, in words and pictures, online and in print. Although I love that part and am grateful you have managed to continue your blog during these past months, sharing the journey along this rough and bumpy path is also part of the friendship for those of us who care.
    Corey, a huge part of why you are special comes from that dear man – I am grateful I can pray for him and wish him well. My love and wishes for a good day. My thanks just for you being you.

    Reply
  7. cat

    Corey, Your blog has enhanced my life in so many ways. You have handled all of your woes with such grace and strengh. Your commitment to your family reveals the depth of your soul,love and compassion. Of course your prose are elequent! I have lived thru the loss of my parents, and I have never reqretted all of the time I devoted to them.My only reqret is that I didn’t have more time with them. They were so much in of my life. Love is the key.

    Reply
  8. My Melange

    Happy to be here with you still!! So glad you did not stop blogging, as your dear friends here would have wondered and worried about you and your Dad, not hearing from you often. You made the right choice!!
    Thanks for being you!
    Good thoughts for your Dad are still streaming your way, like the light you shine on our lives everyday 🙂

    Reply
  9. Candy

    It is all about love. I, too, find it amazing that we can feel a connection sitting at this little machine no matter where we are in the world. If I can help you – an American wife living in France as you care for your father in California while I sit here in Texas – then so be it. I’m so glad you decided to blog through this. It will help me tremendously when I go through it myself, which will probably be in the near future since my own dad is 92 and my mom is 87. So thank you, Corey, for your courage to be honest.

    Reply
  10. FH

    “What is essential is invisible to the eye.”
    Now, Corey, I totally believe you are essential to me …

    Reply
  11. Suzanne

    Sweet Corey,
    Even if your blog was iniatially thought to be about your life in France, your antique’s addition and the french way of living, throughout the time you’ve been blogging, you and “us” (your blog readers) grew a friendship.
    Some of us got to “know” you more and love you for what you are, no matter what you wrote. Living such a difficult moment, your blog friends would be passed if we couldn’t share with you this path… accompany you in this journey.Do you remember that saying “if a friend would throw a party and wouldn’t invite I wouldn’t mind, but if he was crying and didn’t call me, I would be very sad”. Friends are to share the laughter and the tears… even if they are “blog friends”.
    Love*

    Reply
  12. Villa Anna

    Dear Corey,
    This is my first comment but I’ve been praying with you everyday since I discovered your blog and learned of your fathers illness.
    Anna 🙂

    Reply
  13. Joy

    Corey, you write so beautifully. What a blessing to be able to share your feelings and get support from the blogging community. I know I have shed some tears reading about your journey and continue include your father in my prayers. My father is experiencing heart problems and recently they suspended his private pilot’s license because of it. That is like taking oxygen away from him. He lives to fly. I savour every day with him and think of you often. What a truly caring and wonderful daughter you are to stay by your father’s side. That is a testament to your character and love for him – and a decision you will never regret.
    p.s. Yesterday was a ‘joyful’ day for me – it was a beautiful Spring day and my Dad went flying – just a quick little circuit. He still doesn’t have his license back but what the ‘establishment’ doesn’t know won’t hurt them. It did wonders for his soul. Modern medicine can’t touch that. 🙂
    Hugs,
    Joy

    Reply
  14. Miss Sandy

    Corey,
    Initially I was intrigued by your blog because of your location and topics of choice. I can honestly say it never occurred to me not to visit even though you location and subject matter have changed.
    I think blogging is bigger than geography or topic. To me it is community, neighborhood, friendship, support, and encouragement. I look upon you as my neighbor. I would never turn my back on a neighbor in need or fail to have compassion on someone who is going through a time of suffering. I would reach out to that neighbor.
    I think you have discovered something valuable in your journey that I hope we all get, it is not about places, what takes up our spaces, but that people and relationships are the most important thing.
    Our location can change at anytime, stuff will come and go as our tastes change, we can touch upon every subject under the sun, but one of the greatest blessings is to touch one another’s lives.
    Thanks for the touch!

    Reply
  15. Shannon

    You are so sweet and nice and funny and giving. How can I not give back when you need it the most?

    Reply
  16. Deborah P

    Corey, you thank us when you have been so generous with your thoughts, your emotions and the poetic way you express it all. Thank YOU for inviting us along this journey. It’s a bonus that you have been helped along the way.

    Reply
  17. y

    Corey, your blog always makes me think what’s important in life. About life, art & antiques, you always inspire me. Your blog is like a treasure box. Thank you.

    Reply
  18. Marilyn

    I say a prayer and send thoughts your way each day for you and your family. Thanks so much for sharing your heart with us. It indeed touches each of us. You are cherished.

    Reply
  19. clarice

    Corey, I am so glad you have kept blogging. I am praying that we can support you through this very difficult time. Clarice

    Reply
  20. Stacy

    Corey, I started reading your blog not so much for your subject matter as for your take on life. I love how you are so positive and how you celebrate the little things in life. Many people miss out on the little things because they are so busy. My goal as an artist is to capture those special things, little moments, beauty in the everyday, so that people don’t have to miss them. I feel you do that with your words and photos. You are an inspiration to me in that way.
    So although your subject matter has changed over the last 73 days, the reason I read your blog has stayed the same.

    Reply
  21. Rosemary

    Hello Corey,
    I am so glad that you kept right on blogging.
    We are here if you need us. We all enjoy you, and your beautiful writings. I’m so glad we have helped, and are continuing to help through a difficult time.
    Rosemary

    Reply
  22. Wandering Chopsticks

    Corey,
    I visit your blog for you, regardless of where you are. I’m so glad your dad was able to celebrate another birthday with his family.
    Your family reminds me of mine. My grandmother was in the hospital for two months. We all took turns sitting with her throughout the day and night. The nurses said they’d never seen a patient with so many visitors. That doctor was wrong. Having family around helps. We provide comfort.

    Reply
  23. Denise

    Corey,
    I “check in” with your blog every morning, just to see how you are. Here is another quote for you:
    “We are all just walking each other home.”
    Ram Dass
    Take care of yourself.
    Denise

    Reply
  24. deirdre

    Community is an amazing gift and often comes as a surprise. I’m honored to be part of yours.

    Reply
  25. teresa (maggiegracecreates)

    Corey – your life is your art. All parts of it wrap together to form the very fiber of you. I read because you are honest and kind and generous and compassionate. You care deeply for your family and friends. You have chosen to live beautifully. Celebrating art and beauty in all areas. As difficult as this monent in your life is, your message remains true. There is beauty even in the old, broken, odd, difficult, trying things – be them art or relationship. Too many people run away from the hard stuff and you are encouraging everyone to be fully involved in all areas of life. There are messages and blessings in it all.
    I am glad you continue to blog. I am glad to have been given the priviledge to pray for you and your family.

    Reply
  26. Tammy

    Corey I consider you my friend. So as a friend I love seeing your precious heart so open to all of us and sharing your journey with us. Your words have often captured my heart and truly helped me to see things in a different light. I will continue to pray.
    love and blessings

    Reply
  27. AnyoneCanQuilt

    Reading your blog has been such an inspiration and blessing for me. You show such loving grace at one of the most difficult times of your life. You are a shining example for all of us. Thank you Corey.

    Reply
  28. shannon in oregon

    your words about your father and his life are sweet and lovely and kind. i’m glad you did not stop posting when you were back in the states. we would have missed you terribly!
    i hope his road to recovery continues.

    Reply
  29. Laura

    Corey, you are receiving that which you’ve put forth. You grace us each day with wisdom, compassion, love and honesty. We’re just trying to give some back to you, especially at this tender time.

    Reply
  30. beachy

    “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits” (Psalms). We all love you, Corey!

    Reply
  31. stljoie

    It is wonderful to read about France through your eyes but where ever you are, whatever you see … it is your vision that holds us close to you. This sad journey is being shared so beautifully. I hope you feel our presence with you…our arms around you.

    Reply
  32. Suzanne – The Farmer’s Wife

    I don’t believe in such as thing as being off topic. This is your blog and your life. You choose what to share and I think you’ve found an amazing fact….that everyone on the planet has the same concerns. Family, life, death, children. Whether we’re in on a farm, on a beach or in the middle of the Sahara desert, we all share the human experience.
    I don’t think you realize the importance of your sharing your journey with others. It helps to know you’re not alone.
    – Suzanne, the Farmer’s WIfe

    Reply
  33. Toni

    Corey, Thank you for staying in touch with all of us who read your blog and have come to know you so well. I read your blog every morning just to hear about George and Dolores. We have taken for granted seeing them on a daily or weekly basis over the years and I miss them very much. And thank you for being the one and only daughter! Who could compare? I know the brothers are jealous of their big sister! Sending love and prayers Toni

    Reply
  34. gail

    You are such an inspiration to us all. We are the fortunate ones for being able to read your blogs. I am truly sorry you, your father and family are suffering. You are an incredibly strong and loving woman. You make me want to be a better person! You are an angel on earth and a gift to us all. God Bless you and your family.

    Reply
  35. le petit cabinet de curiosites

    The only thing that matters , Corey is to read your words , your thoughts ..no matter what it is about ; you just know how to share it !
    I think blogging is a new way of life , a new world , and you are the queen of this world !

    Reply
  36. phyllis

    Hang in there sweet Corey. You are not alone.

    Reply
  37. Debbie

    Corey,
    I was certainly first drawn to your blog because of your wonderful French journey (oh those beautiful antiques!)But it’s your heart that keeps me here. You and your family are the real beauty.
    Blessings to you and yours!

    Reply
  38. carold

    Corey,
    You are so fortunate to have this time with your father! My father died suddenly of a heart attack at the young age of 60. He did not get to see my sons grow up and I miss him still, 26 years later. There is so much I want to say to him.
    Please share your journey and savor every minute with your dad!

    Reply
  39. gracia

    Thinking of you, and sending hugs to you and your dear ones. I am so glad you continued this blog and that it has helped you to feel connected to others.
    take care, g xo

    Reply
  40. Sandy

    We are with you always Corey, whether you are in France, California or the hospital. I will be leaving for a month’s vacation this Sunday heading to Lake Shasta & will wave at you as I pass the Willows freeway sign. Love & prayersto you & your family.

    Reply
  41. Marie-Noëlle

    Thank you for quoting that phrase of Saint-Exupéry’s…
    I had another one on mind, same author, same book:
    “Les yeux sont aveugles. Il faut chercher avec le coeur” (= Eyes are blind. You must seek with your heart).
    I have come to know that your heart sees well… It does not need any glasses nor binoculars!
    Thinking of you and of your father.
    (or “hearting” of you two!)

    Reply
  42. MaryBEth

    precious Corey,
    Your unwavering courage to open your heart to us-has let rays of light into areas of darkness in my life. You have reminded me to keep my faith- to stop- and sit with the situation- and most importantly -your words flood my soul with warmth and Love.
    For this I am so grateful
    prayers, Love, and Hugs
    xo

    Reply
  43. Catalina

    This is very interesting Corey. You have a special way to share these days with us. Teaching us and “conforting” us in life in some magical way.
    It is wonderful to be able to do that. I don’t know if I simply could…when my father passed away I was far in another country, had some guests for luch, tried to call them to cancel, they weren’t at home alredy and I wasn’t able to share this sad moment with them (they were not close friends) so…I just had lunch with them without telling…
    I guess you need to open wide your heart to share difficult moments with others, happy ones are easier. You are an angel, aren’t you?
    A big hug to you and your family

    Reply
  44. tut-tut

    Yes, your blog can take any direction you choose, at any time. I think that is very unique quality of this forum. I am glad you’ve chose to be so introspective and to share your family’s and father’s daily struggle. I keep you all in my prayers.

    Reply
  45. stephanie

    Corey,
    I really feel it’s a blessing to have this community to depend on, to lean and share and weep.
    I know it was a huge help to us last November with our family loss and Greg has those words to go back to…..
    thinking of you,
    x…x
    stephanie

    Reply
  46. Julie B.

    Your blog touches my heart, and reading your wonderful French Husband’s comment touches my heart for you! I’m continuing to pray for God’s Grace for you, your sweet father and your family!

    Reply
  47. heather

    i like that quote, thank you. what we share with others and how we understand it is really the most important thing in life. i apreciate your courage in sharing such difficult things in such a positive way. God bless.

    Reply
  48. rochambeau

    Dear Corey,
    Just dropping by to say hi. I hope you are well today. I pray for your dad, your family, for you.
    Thank you for sharing your photos and the poem~song The Rose, It is a touching on many levels. I never realized these were the words. It’s hard for me to catch lyrics while listening to songs. I had no idea that Bette Midler wrote this.
    Thinking of you
    xo
    Constance

    Reply
  49. Amylia

    Thank you for continuing to blog, Corey.
    After all, isn’t your father the most precious antique of all?

    Reply
  50. marge

    Thinking of you Corey and continuing prayers for your dad and your whole family.I’m so glad you decided not to stop blogging.I’m glad you can actually be with your dad now. When my dad passed away in 1996,I was living in another part of the country from where I grew up…I couldn’t afford to go back home to say my final good-byes or even tell him how much I loved him in spite of our occasional butting of heads.God bless you and keep you in His loving care.

    Reply
  51. tinker

    Sending good thoughts and prayers, for you and your family, Corey~xox

    Reply
  52. amber

    “How could anyone doubt the power of loving one another.”—
    Indeed.
    Reading through these posts I have missed, I see so much beauty and pain. And the truth that sometimes we can find beauty through pain. I love your heart so much, Corey. That is why people care about you. You have a beautiful heart, and you sharing your pain blesses the rest of us. It gives us a chance to be outside of our own stuff, and to practice love.
    🙂

    Reply
  53. cruststation

    So true, and we hang onto every word.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Privacy Policy - Terms and Conditions