Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

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Happy Tears with a Taste of Salt

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Fabrice-and-sacha

Photos and text by Corey Amaro

Happy.

The end of the school year.
The end of an era.
Sacha graduates soon.
Since age four, Fabrice, Sacha's best friend, will go to school in Cannes.

These are the last days of childhood, or at least that is how I see it.

 

C&M.E.

Happy.

A significant change is happening in our family.

Chelsea will study for a year abroad (first in San Francisco and then in China), and her boyfriend, Mr. Espresso, will study in London for one year.

Long distance relationships are…

Sacha will either go to school in Arles or take a gap year in Willows… he has yet to make a decision.

Their wings open, the horizon calls them, their taste buds spark, their eyes widen…
Delicious life and the freedom to splash!

Youth.

Sacha-&-annie

Happy.

We went out to dinner the other night to celebrate Sacha's 18th birthday. While at dinner, Annie's eyes were sparkling as she said, "Ah, youth! Look at them, young, beautiful, free…. I am happy to be here, watching their future unfold before my eyes. This is the beautiful age, the beginning of many firsts."

MR.E-&C

Happy.

As a parent, I can say how joyful it is to see your children happy. What comfort it is to see them enter into healthy, caring, good relationships. It is a parent's peace of heart to see their children fall in love with someone they can trust.

Chelsea and Sacha gave me peace of heart, the best gift ever.

 

Annie-91

Happy.

"This is the beautiful age," Annie said regarding my children.

Looking at her, I thought, "Every age can be beautiful when we are young at heart and have something to look forward to."

But Annie would disagree with me. With her depth of wisdom and experience, I can hear her say, "This is the beautiful age." And hearing that, I completely understand what she means.

Youth.
Wonder.
An open road.
A taste of firsts, like a baby's first year.

Annie-and-C

Happy.

Life is beautiful: Young, old, and in between.

I hope and pray I can be as open, young at heart, as loving and joyful as Annie is. That life will be a wonderland in which to live every day. I pray that my children will feel that passion for life, too.

Walking

Happy.

 

The new adventure begins.

Freedom! Youth!

The birds are flying. The parents are looking at the nest. Annie is alive with a skip in her step, love continues to bloom, and all seems good…

Happy tears with the taste of salt.

Comments

52 responses to “Happy Tears with a Taste of Salt”

  1. Julie M ~ The Little Red Shop

    God bless you!
    : )
    Julie M.

    Reply
  2. Dee @ Red Dirt Ramblings

    It is such an adventure, and my children are closely following yours. Diva graduates next year. My son is a sophomore in high school. How time flies, and I understand Annie. They are so very beautiful, and they don’t even know ….

    Reply
  3. anne

    I wish for all of the above too… I wish though that I had been given encouragement and the zest for life when I was younger…
    My boys fled the nest years ago… with family now.

    Reply
  4. Karen

    The letting go is the hardest part for me. I’m doing it, but internally I struggle with each flap of their spreading wings. It’s bittersweet.

    Reply
  5. JoieDeVivre

    This post has blessed my soul beyond measure.
    Forever Young – my motto!
    Such generosity of your words and spirit.
    Blessings to you all!
    Merci

    Reply
  6. Jackie

    Tell Sacha he can come visit the east coast anytime. Tell Chelsea that my son is fluent in Mandarin and is available if she needs an interpreter. Tell Annie that I am coming to visit her one day. Tell Yann he is very lucky to have you.

    Reply
  7. Lizbeth

    Such beautiful young adults and such a beautiful Annie! Corey, with you as their mother, how could your children not be passionate and love life and adventure? It is a bitter-sweet time for you and Yann, but I know you will enjoy this phase of your lives, too. Listen to wise Annie.

    Reply
  8. Linda C.

    For children like yours who have had parents like you and FH, it is a beautiful age…they will step out into life armed with the most important gift bestowed on anyone, good and loving parents and family they know who will always be there for them.
    For many people this is an unknown.

    Reply
  9. Vicki

    Happy tears….love them!! Sad tears…not so much. My best to both of your beautiful children!! Love to watch my children live their lives!!! You can tell you are a wonderful mom Corey!!

    Reply
  10. Gracie

    Yes, watching over your children’s life is such an experience, nothing can compare to this! Looking at life through their young eyes, being there when they discover love, friendship, adventure….is such a blessing.

    Reply
  11. Sarah

    What a wonderful post. I agree with Annie, what a joy to see the promise of young people’s lives. Thank you for sharing.
    Sarah

    Reply
  12. deb mattin

    I agree – one of the very best rewards for parenting is having happy children moving on with their lives. It is hard to see them go off on their own, though – bittersweet for sure.
    Good luck to all!

    Reply
  13. Alena

    Lucky girl you are Corey.
    Wonderful pictures.

    Reply
  14. Karen

    “The new adventure begins.
    Freedom! Youth!
    The birds are flying. The parents are looking at the nest…”
    What a wonderful time for you to perhaps begin a new adventure (or two) of your own! Freedom, indeed!! Blessings for your family!

    Reply
  15. Laura

    Beautifully written…
    I share your sentiments…
    Trying to treasure each moment…
    🙂

    Reply
  16. Penny

    So very lovely. We give them wings and it takes our breath away as they start to leave the nest, does it not? Here’s the thing; if we let them go with joy in our hearts, they will always find their way home.
    Okay, I’m tearing up – beautiful, Corey.

    Reply
  17. dancing kitchen

    Bravo Corey!! A mothers job is to prepare their children to fly on their own…job well done!

    Reply
  18. Virginia

    Although our family dynamics are quite uhhh, different; it is SUCH a delight to read YOUR posts. Your family is blessed because of YOU and FH. How I love visiting you!

    Reply
  19. Ardi

    A dear old friend laughingly said when her youngest child left home…”now we can get back to running around the house naked.” It makes me smile every time I think about it. Your post was so touching and so true. Thanks for sharing these tender thoughts with us.

    Reply
  20. Marilyn

    What a happy, joyful post. Loved seeing each picture and so happy for you.

    Reply
  21. Sheala

    Beautiful. Your children are amazing. Blessings to you all 🙂

    Reply
  22. Debra P.

    Corey, your children are so beautiful and look very happy and full of joy. While my children are just few years younger, I hope and pray my efforts will yield the same outcome.
    Thanks for including Annie today, we all can learn so much from her.

    Reply
  23. Natalie Thiele

    Beautiful post. A (parenting) job well done!
    Both Chelsea and Mr Espresso have dimples. I like that.
    It’s wonderful to see that your children have the same love of adventure as you and FH do.

    Reply
  24. Rhonda P

    Wishing them both a lifetime of happiness!
    Youth is beautiful to witness, isn’t it?
    I’m with you, I hope to think like Annie when I’m her age, that beautiful woman is such an inspiration to us.

    Reply
  25. Star

    Change is in the air, isn’t it? Best wishes to all of you as you explore new directions.

    Reply
  26. Cheryl ~ Casual Cottage Chic

    We watched in amazement the other day as the two baby mockingbirds flew from their safe little nest in our bush in the backyard off on their new journey. We wish them God’s speed, just as we wish this for our children when they “get their wings” and fly off. The birds will not return; our children will always return to our open arms. Let them fly!

    Reply
  27. Niki

    The empty nest is coming! Scary, but a wonderful time of life.
    Niki

    Reply
  28. Jeni

    I pray the same prayer as my children fly with the wind. You know how to put the words to the thoughts in my heart. I can see the happiness shine through your children’s eyes.
    Thank you Corey for the beautiful post!

    Reply
  29. caren

    It’s that old saying about giving your children roots and then wings. Easier said than done : )

    Reply
  30. georgie

    Sacha and Chelsea are the kind, beautiful inside and out people they are because of the influence and love of their parents. Lucky kids, lucky(and justifiably proud) parents!

    Reply
  31. Ladelle

    Beautiful post, Corey…beautiful picture of you and Annie! Can’t wait to see you all again. bisous

    Reply
  32. Sharon, Morrison Mercantile

    The end….and the beginning. A turning point in your family’s life. Mixed emotions…happy…scared…sad…the unknown.
    Love your pictures, and Annie is a gem, a real survivor of life. There is much to learn from her.
    hugs to you and your family..

    Reply
  33. Diane

    Corey, I love this post! It also brought tears to my eyes! Wonderful!

    Reply
  34. carol

    Corey, your words are so beautiful. They say the things I feel but cannot put into words. My son will be entering his junior year in high school.Our time is short. I hope I can put your words into actions and not hold on too tightly. Remembering this post and your and Annie’s words. so true…
    Your children are beautiful inside and out.

    Reply
  35. Kimberly

    I know it’s been said but…………beautiful post! Blessings, Kimberly

    Reply
  36. Jean(ne) Pierre in MN

    Happy, lovely family. You’ve given them roots and wings. Bravo.

    Reply
  37. Theresa

    OH….you must be such proud parents! What beautiful young adults you have. And Annie – what a lady. My mother use to tell me that every age is a good age – enjoy every moment. Best wishes to you all as this big change takes place.

    Reply
  38. Danielle C.

    Moved to tears. Your attitude to life is an inspiration. I’m so grateful for your blog.

    Reply
  39. Victoria Ramos

    Many sincere wishes for a bright future to Sacha at his graduation. My only daughter graduated last year — and is now home for the summer for a month and half after completing her first year at UCSC.
    I absolutely understand what you are feeling….and Aubrey is just 3 hours away at college! It was the hardest and easiest thing I ever did, moving her into those dorms. That is the only way for me to explain it. Everyone gave me a bad time about her ‘leaving the nest’ and how I would cope — but the truth was I was just so incredible happy and proud for her…
    oh no, just writing this is making me tear up! What an fabulous time in all of your lives!

    Reply
  40. juliette

    Speechless.
    I am so proud of you, so proud of them.
    I feel blessed to belong to your familly.
    Love.

    Reply
  41. Pam

    The empty nest is a time for you to also experience a new freedom too. It is a time to also renew your love with your husband as you will have more time alone with him. We are enjoying this time too even though our grown children now require us to “check in” with them & get concerned when we are unreachable.

    Reply
  42. Jill Flory

    Congratulations to Sacha!! Good luck to Chelsea as she heads out into the world to learn!!!

    Reply
  43. Patricia

    How beautiful! You must be so proud of your children! My daughter just got her driver’s license today. I can’t believe that she can just take the car and drive now! Such a strange feeling. Do not know what I will do when she leaves for college in two years!!!!!
    Annie is so adorable and such an inspiration. I love her cute outfit/necklace!
    Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos. Your children are beautiful (inside and out).

    Reply
  44. sherri

    All the best to Sacha and Chelsea…they are such beautiful people. Your heart aches; I know it well. I am in the midwest, and my two children are on opposite coasts…Seattle and New Hampshire. The New Hampshire daughter is in Cape Town, South Africa for the summer. You give them wings, but oh how you miss them. All is as it should be, but that doesn’t mean it is without bittersweet tears.

    Reply
  45. Sally

    How lucky you are to have Annie as your good wise friend.

    Reply
  46. Shelley@thiswhiteshed.blogspot.com

    Such a ride!

    Reply
  47. Brenda L from TN

    Words of wisdom from an old and dear friend…Annie is right…this is a beautiful time in their lives…Best wishes to both of your children in their travels and studies. The “empty nest” will only last a short while and then you and FH will know you raised responsible kids who can and will make their mark on this world and be happy doing it.

    Reply
  48. Julie Ann Evins

    That was incredibly beautiful in it’s simplicity Coco. I adore the way you do that. May both Chelsea & Sascha fly, Jx

    Reply
  49. Judy B.

    Let’s clone Annie!!! …kidding. She is a jewel and so wise. Wish she lived next door to me.
    Your children have had the best love, guidance, and home life. You and Yann as parents taught them well and also showed example. Both will become eagles and fly, learn and experience – maybe “ups” and “downs” but will have the instinct of survival and landing safely.
    Bless all of you (definitely including Annie).

    Reply
  50. elsa

    reading this made me sooo happy too Corey! so happy and proud for you!

    Reply
  51. Alison

    Beautifully written!
    Thank you.
    Alison

    Reply
  52. pauline

    Happy tears with the taste of salt – a perfect description. Once the nestlings have fledged and flown they come back in other guises – and it is never, ever the same. The only things that stays is your longing for what was and even that is sometimes lifted up by what comes next 🙂

    Reply

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