Stories Collected While Living in France
One year, the first year, a day by day year. A year of firsts. A year of guarding memories. A year that is still hard to believe. One year, a hundred years, ten seconds…it feels a bit of that all at once.
A year of hide and seek.
When I least expect it you appear… in a song, in a feeling, in a dream, in a memory, or
….in Paris, at a restaurant, in a painting, wearing a red helmet.
Note: Photo of a painting in Paris, that reminds me of my dad.
Thinking of you as you pass this “1st year”. I just passed my “3rd year” without my dad…and just yesterday passed 1 month without my grandson…a life cut so short. Hugs from California to France!
How nice to come across that painting. In July it will be three years without my dad and it is only been almost two months with my mom. In fact yesterday would have been her 80th birthday. Bless her heart and bless yours for being such a special person.
Hard to believe it’s been a year and yes, at the same time it seems like yesterday and a lifetime ago, but I am glad you still feel your dad’s presence and hope you continue to do so. How can you not? That man knew how to LIVE.
I know your heart must be heavy but I am so impressed with how gracefully and lovingly you have kept him present… Big hug!
Isabel
Always, we’re here for you.
Goodness one year has passed. You are in my thoughts
Alison
I just “clocked” two years without my mom. And tomorow is her birthday. I understand your heavy heart.
Thinking of you, Corey… Donna @ An Enchanted Cottage
It’s hard to believe it’s been one year.
My brother has been gone 29 years and I still miss him and still frequently think about him.
~elaine~
Yes, Corey, we are all here for you. The 24th anniversary of my Dad’s passing was earlier this month. The intense grief faded, but still little memories will pop up unexpectedly and I will break in to tears. Your writing about your Dad during that tough time after he got sick was extremely touching. Many of us probably felt like we were there with you, sharing the pain and wanting to comfort you.
So many hearts join yours right now, from all over. We’re stopped short when memories flood in, take pause to mourn… and yet to feel in the same moment that overwhelming gratitude for every moment we’ve been given with those we love. God Bless~
Sending you a Big Hug!
Corey,
You taught me so much with your devotion to your father. My own father died just before my daughter’s 1st birthday and she just turned 16 earlier this month. My father in law was given 48 hours to live at the beginning of March. All I could think is that he could not pass in spring, like my father. Yet, I kept you in mind and your family’s devotion to your family. We spent so much time with my beau pere. I truely think it helped him rally to have so much of his family around him. Who knows what the future holds, but your experience gives my hope that everyone has grace within them.
Peace be with you, Corey.
Sure Corey! it loks very alike! and with a bike!
sweet memories
love
Thinking of you.
Colette
Oh it does look like him. What a beautiful post. Big hugs.
Corey,
Thank you for sharing your feelings of daily life. My dad died in the spring as well…in May. I still miss him, but I know that my memories of him and my family’s memories of him make him still live for us.
Cindy from Marseille
You will be in my thoughts and prayers today dear Corey….
My thoughts are with you, sweetheart.
Big hug
God Bless today Corey. All I can say is that time is the only healer. And you will heal but you will always miss him. Cristina
thinking of you….
He will be with you all the time, Corey.
He’s a timeless man,a timeless part of you, a timeless source of memories…
Keep cherishing him and all your memories, feelings, images, …
(I ‘ve been feeling just the same with my mother for nearly 33 years… She would be turning 70 next month…)
Thinking of you !
Our thoughts and hugs are with you on this memorable day…
I miss my Mom every single Moment since she began her eternal life almost 3 years ago (this summer it will be 3 years)
I love you
My prayers are with you today and always.
How is your Mom?
Love you
Jeanne
WOW! That painting looks like your dad.
I am holding you , along with your whole family in my prayers.
XOXOXOXOX,
Shea
Wow! Such a striking resemblance. Take it as a sign…he is always near.
It’s almost two years for me and I still find it difficult. As well my husband just came back from Greece where he buried his Mom last week. We are both orphans now. Thinking of you Corey…hugs
Isn’t it funny how fast a year can be while at the same time it seems like an eternity?
Nothing has surprised me more about this shared journey of ours than the places and ways we are reminded of those we’ve lost. I can be moving about my day and something can trigger a flood of emotion seemingly out of nowhere. In helping my mom come up with a saying to put on a remembrance brick for the hospice center where he spent his last days- I think I found what will be our pick. “Love is the opener as well as the closer of eyes”. (George MacDonald)
Bless you, Corey.
Sometimes my father feels so close (like when you “see” your dad in a painting in France) and yet sometimes it almost seems like he was a dream because he feels so very far away.
Thinking of you as you continue to navigate the road of life, and walking down my own parallel road.
What a loving tribute. You were blessed to have him as your father.
Marilyn (in Dallas)
I hope that he was a welcome sight. On a motorcycle no less in a snazzy red helmet. Perhaps he is trying to tell you that he is thinking of you and loves you.
So much loss – so much love in the comments here. My Dad has been gone 6 months… the other day I was at a marina when a fisherman started up a motor. The smell of the gas, the breeze blowing across the water – in a twinkling, memories flooded in of going fishing with my Dad. I thank God for those moments to cherish. Hugs being sent to you – Deb
my love
jody
Dear Corey and family,
Thinking of you today and always…are you sure that wasn’t your DAD???? AMAZING!!!!
Love,
Leslie
Corey, you are in heart, and on my mind… velvet lined hearts were made for precious memories… to keep, to hold, to cherish… anniversaries like this, remind us to open our hearts and feel a little more.
Kisses
ulla
Uncanny resemblance. Bless you Corey.
And still you survived, even with a broken heart. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers this day.
Forever… these blooms pressed to your heart… XO
Dear Corey, thinking of you and your family, sending love.
Your beautiful dad is always with you, always.
Thanks for sharing the painting which expresses your memory of your father. Vibrant choice.
I find that I’m thinking of my mother each night as I drift off to sleep…and she has been gone for nearly two years. The end days were not pleasant and I relive it, wondering if I did all I could for her.
Hugs to you this day, dear Corey.
xo
Wow, that’s uncanny really except I think of your dad smiling. How good of God to bring him to mind as you sit in a restaurant in Paris.
Cool. That is Dad.
Thinking of you and sending you a hug from across the seas.
This print does resemble the pictures you’v shown of your father. In fact, I thought it was of him until the end. Did you ever think this was a message from him letting you know that he is everywhere with you?
Peace
Hard to imagine it’s been a year since we followed you to California to begin this unknown journey. Your dad is always with you …he will never leave. You see …he resides in your heart! Sending angel wings to wrap around you and keep you safe.
*hug*
My father died two weeks ago, we did not have a postive relationship. We didnt even have a negative one really, just separation for 19 years and then 18 months… so maybe that colours my thoughts as I read this I cant help but think that it must be nice to have so many memories of a Daddy that can be brought back with simply a view of a picture on a wall…. Im sorry that you miss him, I envy you of someone to miss.
Surely there is a Daddy smiling down and over his girl tonight…
My husband has been gone 18 months. His dying was long and painful. Sometimes memories ambush me but more often now they are healing. Planting the vegetable garden alone last spring was painful. This week, with my hands in the dirt, I’m finding peace. I hope the pain in your heart lessens and that joy takes its place.
he is with you, always. for the love you have for him will always carry him with you.
Beautiful. Just so tender. Thank you. wow.
The jaw DOES look like your father’s. You continue to be in my thoughts. Love and hugs, Ellen
I read this post but couldn’t comment right away. My Gram passed away six years ago this week and it seems like just yesterday. Some say the first year is the hardest. I’m not sure that’s true. Your heart never forgets who it’s loved nor who it’s lost. You have been in my thoughts.
Hugs.
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