Life Abroad

Img_4257_2 Sacha called to talk. With each of his words, I wanted to jump through the phone and pinch his cheeks.  Somehow to get back to the days where he was a little boy and I could hug him for hours without him minding a bit.

Listening to him made the soft spot that I have and hide ache…

I asked him if he thought I could be his Mom again, "You know the one who tells you that your shirt doesn't match your pants, or that you need to sit straight, or to clean your room, or that you better stay home to do your homework. In short, after four months away do you think it will feel strange of me telling you every now and then what to do or how to be?"

He reassured me by saying, "Mom, I think as soon as we see one another we will take off right where we left off and it will be very good."

… with that, I felt a million hugs all at once.

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Later in the day, Chelsea called. We talked and talked as only "girls" can do. I asked her how her "friend-who-is-a-boy" was doing and she said without skipping a beat, "Oh the-friend-who-is-a-boy is now my boyfriend."

Though being the kind of mother that I am I didn't skip a beat either and asked, "Have you kissed?"

Chelsea chuckled, "Mommy!" But before she could answer and before I could ask the next question she said,

"… it was worth the wait."

———————————————————————-

Ah, Life the unpredictable, unending path that leads us! Thanks for giving me a spark of sweet joy today.



Comments

49 responses to “Life Abroad”

  1. Corey four months must seem like an age to be away from your children – it’s so lovely that they can talk a million hugs to you over the phone, that your bond with them is still unbroken over time and space – the badge and reward of a wonderful Mom! and wonderful children too!

  2. Your children know what special mother they are blessed with! May you all soon be able to enjoy each other close by.

  3. Mom is always Mom, no matter how long it’s been or how far away…still it’s always good to hear!

  4. Oh! Love hugs throgh the phone!
    🙂
    🙂

  5. No matter how far the distance the heart strings always pull us together.
    Wishing you and your family well as time begins to heal.
    xo Susan

  6. You must miss them so. Sacha is right I expect, you’ll pick up with them right where you left off without missing a beat. Hang on, the right time will come.
    Darla

  7. Absense makes the heart grow fonder, and relationships look clearer through the lens of distance. Your reunion with your children will be so sweet. Your reunion with France will be a going home. Your reunion with the French husband will be wonderful.
    So much to look forward to that will help ease the pain of your grief.
    – Suzanne, the Farmer’s Wife

  8. Love and hugs and kisses.
    So happy to hear you spoke with the children.
    Blessings to you and your family both near and far.
    Love and hugs

  9. You have fabulous children 🙂

  10. Your children are *so* you Corey. I am sure you miss them, but they miss their Mom too!!
    You will see each other soon…

  11. I was talking about Chelsea last weekend when Jeff and I were out to dinner. I told him about the “boy-who-was-just-a-friend” and how she had the self restraint that I never had. I told him how I didn’t know how she could possibly be so mature about it.
    Now I have another topic of conversation to share with him 😉

  12. There it is again – that joy that can only come from children. Thank you God for the children – even the almost grown ones! Thank you for their forgiving hearts and continual love. Most of all thank you for speaking through them to our hearts.

  13. Ok let me continute the “girl talk”…
    “No way she didn’t! I can’t believe she had her first kiss. How sweet is that! Remember your first kiss, awwww. Where does the time go…”
    Sigh, I could go on and on with you dear friend.
    a.

  14. Wow, four months! Your son’s response shows he is a wise young man…

  15. Conversations that shed rays of sunshine into our lives, can’t get enough of them! 🙂
    It won’t be long before Sacha will be there with you, taking instruction and generously doling out hugs.

  16. oh to feel the love of your children !!! They are truly blessings !

  17. Oh! Now you have to tell us what French husband thinks of his little girl having a boyfriend. LOL Aren’t phones wonderful. I was reading old letters of my MIL last night and was marveling at how it was to be out of touch from your loved ones and only to able to write letters.

  18. Thanks for sharing this sweetness with all of us. Such joy, you deserve. You continue to be in my prayers…

  19. Hi Corey,
    You are blessed with wonderful children. I am still smiling, after reading your post.
    Rosemary

  20. Most things that are worth waiting for, are worth waiting for;)

  21. Where would you be without your children? Now you know how your Mom feels about you and all of your loving support throughout the past four months and before.
    xoxo
    Karen

  22. Happy tears for you, Corey.
    One thing, which remains true is that our children will always be our babies.
    I have to tell you a cute story: We had a dear friend who was in her eighties and she would talk about “the kids” and we would wonder who she meant. It turned out that they were her daughter and son-in-law (in their late 60’s) who lived around the corner from her.
    As always,
    Carol

  23. Smiley moments Corey! 🙂
    Enjoy*
    Love*
    Suzanne

  24. Holding you up in supporting prayer for strength, for sustenance. It’s a long road back to a new normal, but you will all eventually arrive there. ~hugs~

  25. How you must miss your family. Bless you and your family for choosing to take care of your father, and now your mother over the comfortable route. This is such a testament to who you all are!
    My 19 year old baby son moved a few hours away in January, and I have not seen him since. We talk weekly, but I miss him terribly! He was born on my birthday, and for the first time this year we did not get to spend our day together. I was so sad! Silly me, I still have the text message he sent me on our birthday stored in my phone, it was so sweet.
    I will be glad for you when you can be with your husband and children in your home again.
    Debbie

  26. Sweet story…sweet kids. 🙂

  27. I am so glad that your children are such a joy and comfort!! I love the way that Chelsea nonchalantly stated that he was now her boyfriend – that brought a smile to my face!

  28. This post brought tears to my eyes. Your children sound like such great people! Those two conversations must have been so encouraging and refreshing for you.

  29. Corey …it’s so wonderful that you could share a little bit of ‘talk’ time with you children. Oh, how you must miss them and of course, French husband too! It must seem as if it’s been a million years since you were with them.
    May you soon be together again. Your children and husband are the foundation of your fortitude and I know that they realize what a strong and wonderful person you truely are.

  30. Chelsea is a wise young woman and that boyfriend must be some kisser, that would make her a wise and lucky young woman 😉

  31. OH sweet Corey,
    I can see some joy in your words…so glad to see that. What a beautiful thing children are.
    Love and blessings

  32. Jeanette

    And this is way we need children in our lives to show us that life can be good and kind! As the summer comes closer so does the day that your children and husband we be in your hugging grip again. I am sure Sasha will let you hug him all summer long and you can get all the details about “the kiss”! Wishing I could speed time up to June just so you could have your much needed hugs and late night talks!
    Jeanette

  33. how sweet, one’s first kiss.

  34. stljoie

    My daughter, who is in her late 30’s just returned from camping with her beau on the Mexican Riviera and when I asked if it was romantic she shyly lowered her eyelids and said…”yesss”. Not that I’m being nosy…I want her to have romance. I do, and I treasure it.

  35. It’s amazing how such sweet words can have the most profound effects on us… I am so glad that you have the support of your family, Corey. It is something we cannot do without when we lose someone we love.
    🙂

  36. I have just read the last several posts… as I cant get here everyday and your words … they touch me in ways I can not explain … I feel your emotions with each heartfelt word… each tear … each smile … each bit of laughter..
    The love for your mother… your friends… your family… I so love coming here and wrapping myself up in your posts…. like a catepillar in its protective cocoon…
    I cry.. smile.. laugh… with you.. thank you for sharing yourself and your family in such an honest way
    HUGS
    JO

  37. Oh, Corey . . . how hard it is to keep a foot on both sides of such a wide divide! But your family is helping so much.

  38. Oh, Corey, there’s nothing like children to jumpstart your life again-ready or not. They remind us that, thank goodness, life goes on, and that what you do for them is also what made you love your dad so fiercely and made you the daughter you are.
    You’ve got blessings up, down, and in between!
    Best regards,
    maria in ny

  39. Corey, you are MY spark of joy! =)

  40. I’m so anxious for you to see your children again…it will do so much for your soul.
    And the picture of your mom yesterday was just heart wrenching.
    Thanks for letting us know how you are doing.

  41. Corey – I’m sure they’ll be so happy to have you back, even if you tell them their clothes don’t match! I’m sure they miss you terribly! Still saying prayers for all of you. Marva

  42. Corey,
    There is nothing like the voice of our children, it gives such a hug for the heart. I a glad your heart was hugged today. Praying for a glad reunion day for you and your family abroad.

  43. No matter where you are and how long you have been away , you are still their mummy …
    I knew the friend who is a boy , will be one day her boyfriend ! He bought her the best expresso machine so ….

  44. Marie-Noëlle

    SO… the percolator will keep busy in Aix and it will witness more than maths and English…
    Corey, have you ever felt like being turned into a percolator?

  45. Ohhh, I’m so glad you had those phone calls with your children, Corey. That must have brightened up your day and put a skip in your step! Both Sacha and Chelsea sound like wonderful kids. Good job, Corey and FH!

  46. Even though you are apart it’s lovely knowing the children are sharing little bits of their lives. Hurry back soon Corey.
    My first kiss was with a French student (in England) and his name was Francois – I will remember it always!

  47. Distance and time cannot change the strength of the mother-child bond … these phone calls are testament to that. xx, JP/deb

  48. Corey, you have been so devoted! It must be so hard to be away from your husband and kids for so long. But you can be sure you will have no regrets. And it sounds like your kids are doing fine.
    Bisous de l’Aveyron.

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