The View Finder

my French grand nephew

Regarding yesterday's post many of you asked about French Husband's grandmother.

view finder

No, I never received anything from her velvet box of jewels.
and no she wasn't upset about French Husband marrying an American woman.

I believe a few things were fogging her view when I came into the scene…. Her age, her history distorted by illness, and family matters. I was not the problem.

looking through the view finder

She loved French Husband. I do believe she would have loved me if her view had not been out of focused. Time was not on our side.
More importantly my French language skills were next to none. Communication is hard enough with words– let alone without them.

long path

Time renders a different view. Forgiveness is in understanding. And at the end of the day a velvet box is not what matters. But that doesn't mean I would not have liked one of her beauties… or for that matter anything in her house! Oh what a house.

The funny thing is… the memories I hold strongly of sitting by her bedside that day are: The bell on her night stand, the blue satin ribbon she played with, her pressed monogram bed linens, the porcelain cup that held her chocolate, and Yann telling her he was going to marry me…. Yes those details shine brighter in my memory…. I am luckier for that.

Photos taken by my daughter Chelsea in St. Malo where we spent Christmas with French Husband's family.

P.S. The children in the photo are my French grand niece and nephew.

 



Comments

22 responses to “The View Finder”

  1. you know what I love about you Corey? no, not your gorgeous french home.. well I love that.. and no it is not all the gorgeous bits n pieces you find and share with us, even though I love them and it is not your photography and words, even though they constantly set my heart a flutter.. what it is Corey that I love most about you is that you always, always are so postive and show gratitude for every single little thing in your life.. I love that! bless you xo

  2. I love you
    Big hugs and much love
    I am so lucky to have my preciouis Grandmother who will be 95 January 9th, 2010
    I adore her
    I love you and your stories
    Love Jeanne

  3. I love that you can see the beauty in a situation that might leave others bitter. It is so clear you didn’t choose to marry French Husband for an expensive gem. You married him despite the lack of one and now at last it looks like you have come full circle. If I can learn anything from you Corey it is to see only beauty and positive in every situation.

  4. loved the post today…the memories you have of Yann’s grandmother far outweigh a material object. unfortunately most get caught up in the material objects rather than the emotional.
    on a lighter note, make sure you afix the ring firmly to your finger…wouldn’t want you to :misplace: it.
    many hugs to you always
    erin

  5. Good morning Corey,
    Your ring is stunning! I have been wearing my husband’s grandmother’s diamond for 36 years now.
    I am pretending that I now have Yann’s grandmother’s blue velvet box (which arrived safely…thankyou) and will check the lining for any stray diamonds…if I find one I will mail it back promptly!
    Happy New Year! 🙂

  6. yes
    indeed
    you are luckier
    for capturing the details shining bright
    to hold in your memory.
    and so are we.
    🙂
    a view now of a diamond given then
    would have been fun to see.
    and would have made a good story, too.
    still,
    the reality
    makes the best story…
    i do wonder how this shapes your life
    for your own children,
    i wonder what will be in the velvet box
    you will hold for your own…
    do you have a velvet treasure box waiting?
    i wonder…

  7. no matter what, you always have a silver lining shining through brightly … and skills that many would be better for … unconditional love, untempered kindness, forgiveness if you get cranky and an ability to see the best no matter what the vision is. you seem to remain in the business of living and loving graciously. thank you as always for reminding me gently to keep a lid on things.
    your grandmother-in-law must have been a pip.

  8. How wonderful that there are no hurt feelings! I had wondered if she was mad because her grandson was going to Marry an American. What a beautiful ring that Yann bought you. What a fantastic find! Happy New Year!

  9. Corey, I was so touched by your post…. so many people hold bitterness in their hearts for what they have not received, but your heart shines so brightly because it does not have those shadows. I agree with Miss Robyn above, she said it so beautifully. ~ Hugs from Violet

  10. You have a wonderful soul…your words were so refreshing to me.

  11. oh corey…you are a big person…a GRAND person…(i like that thought: “time renders a diferent view”
    xx

  12. A good friend of mine got married a few years ago for the second time. We were talking about her ring and she said to us when people ask about my ring I say enough about the ring let me tell you about my husband. I loved that.
    The husband is the real treasure, you got the treasure of her heart.

  13. perspective is a beautiful thing. it’s not about the things, the objects, but rather the feelings and emotions that surround you as you think and remember someone.

  14. I think that Miss Robyn said it all today! Thankyou for your friendship and your kindness Corey.

  15. My daughter was just given a ring by her fiance that was his great grandmother’s. Very old, very beautiful but also very overwhelming. She is a bit at a loss as she has no sentimental attachment to the piece or the ancestor and has an engagement ring that was given to her upon their engagement. It was just confusing to her. Often old family pieces can be that way.

  16. What beautiful memories of that day. More precious than what was in the velvet box. You’re words and photos inspire me so much. Like I said earlier, I look forward to your posts. –Delores

  17. St Malo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  18. I just found your blog….what a touching story! With my last name, how could I not follow you! Great posts.

  19. I have my grandmother’s diamond ring, given to her when she was sixteen and about to be married.That marriage lasted until her death at the age of 96.What joy,great sadness and a never diminishing love that ring has seen.The birth of 9 children,2 World Wars and huge changes in the world.My daughter has now just received the ring for her 21st birthday.Your ring must have these memories too.
    Thanks for the photos of St Malo one of our favourite haunts on a Sunday in Spring,a coffee and a L’Oust France as we watch the world go by.

  20. Corey
    Beautiful story! I believe FH’s grandmere already knew you had the prize- the best gift- her joy- her favorite grandson– diamonds did not impress you at the time– And now it is far more meaningful coming from Yann after many years of a relationship standing the test of time.
    Wishing you both many more years of shared loving kindness and joy and good health, prosperity and many grandchildren to love.
    Joanny
    the Dowser’s Daughter

  21. I am in awe of you and your wonderful stories. Yann kissing the ring first, beautiful.
    Chelsea is taking some awesome pitures!

  22. I wish comments had automatic spell check. I meant pictures, of course.

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