Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

Maybe I was a Nun in my Past Life?

Holy-water

Photos and text by Corey Amaro.

Maybe I was a nun, or a priest… certainly a Priestess! Or maybe I was the owner of a religious object manufacturing company. Or possibly an interior designer of convents. If there is such a thing as past lives then I am betting I was connected to religion in some way.

Ex-voto

You know that question that goes something like, "If you could talk to
one person died or alive who would it be?" Well French Husband says he
would like to talk to King Louis the Sixteenth. I would like to talk to
Mary Magdalene. Better yet just hang out with her for a few days,
because after all being with someone is when you feel their shoes, live
their steps, understand their journey.

Wine-bottle-opener-grapes

Maybe you're wondering why I think I had something to do with religion in my past life. Well simply put I am attracted to religious artifacts and stuff. The other day I noticed most the stuff I have on my online shop is religious in nature, or could be religious… an example being: Wine bottle openers. You know you gotta open the bottle of wine before it goes into the chalice. 

Shell-box-with-rosary

I mean really it is strange. I find things non religious only to find out later on that they are  religious after all. Like the day I found a shell box only to discover it was a rosary holder.

See what I mean? I am drawn to this stuff without it jumping up and down hollering RELIGIOUS! Kinda strange don't you think?

Romantic-pin

Or like the day I found a brooch. A romantic, sweet brooch… and then there it was ANGELS hanging out on the sides and a baptismal font (okay some would say a bird feeder but I know better.) 

Maybe I was a spiritual matchmaker in my past life? Wow, wouldn't that be something crazy wonderful, if I had been the one who introduced Mary Magdalene to Jesus. I could have been the spiritual matchmaker along the way of Christianity… Saint Francis and Saint Clarie, Saint Terese and Saint John of the Cross, Peter, Paul and Mary. 

Prague church star

Though I don't know… being the interior designer of convents, or churches is pretty cool too.

Altar-article

French Husband wonders if the people who buy my stuff are nuns, or priest, or just weird like me? He wonders what do they do with the stuff? I told him, "Well maybe they are feeding their inner saint, or maybe they have a past life thing going on, or maybe they cut the things up and make pillows with it. I don't know."

Mary-and-child

What I do believe is that our genetic code carries (for lack of a better word) memory, stories, a history, a past that shapes who we are. I believe that traces of what my great-great-great- great (you get where I am going with this great thing) Grandmother feelings, life and possible dreams are within me. 

Blue-velvet-cross

I had a great great cousin, or uncle, or relative that was a Priest. And my Great Grandfather was going to be a priest and then decided against it… Whew thank God for that otherwise where would I be now? (Hint: Buying religious artifacts.)

Who would you like to talk to from the past or present?

Comments

42 responses to “Maybe I was a Nun in my Past Life?”

  1. Denise Moulun-pasek

    I would love to talk to my French grandfather whom I never knew and my father never knew because he died young.
    I believe that we bought a property in France in part because of that genetic code you are referring to. I have an attachment that goes deep…

    Reply
  2. Patricia

    My french husband also tells me our house looks like a church! I have so many statutes and crosses. I even have a wall of crosses (a lot of them I bought on a trip to New Mexico where I was very inspired). I would love to meet with my mother (she died when I was 10). I have so, so many question I would love to ask her which at the age of 10 I never thought or knew to ask her!!!! Also, I would love to have spent a day with Mother Theresa in India.
    Thanks for your wonderful blog!
    P.S. I have the crucifex in your photo, but mine is trimmed in red not blue. My father-in-law gave it to me (from France). I have it hanging by my front door.

    Reply
  3. Merisi

    Quite the baptism party on that sweet brooch! 😉
    Whom would I like to talk to from the past?
    Maybe Napoleon? To scold him for shooting canons at Beethoven, all the while singing “Move over!”? 😉

    Reply
  4. Penny

    When my Yia Yia, my Greek grandmother, immigrated from Greece at the turn of the 20th century, she left her home at the age of 18, never to return, never to see her mother or father again. She passed away many years ago, but, I still feel her near me and see her in my dreams. I never met her mother or even viewed her in a picture. I would love to meet her, hear her story. Most of her many children immigrated. One went to England, the rest to the states, three stayed behind in the little village or a neighboring one. One was a Greek Orthodox priest.
    What was it like in those hard times with a strong family and what was it like seeing your children leave, thousands of miles and several world wars away in a age before telephones, email, and such to arranged marriages and grandchildren. I would like to know her, to talk to her, to let her know how much I loved her daughter, and so, loved her.

    Reply
  5. Beachy

    I definitely do believe there is a little piece in each us of those in our family who have gone on before us. 😉 Or at the very least, they are with us each day, like guardian angels.
    I think your Patron Saint must be Saint Brocante, Corey! 😉 Actually, it would be Saint Luke, because you are an artist at everything you do!

    Reply
  6. brocantess

    My grandfather….I was born on his birthday. He would call me Princess (his name for me) and hold me in his big arms (he was 6’4″). We would talk about anything and everything. I would so love to hear his voice again 🙂

    Reply
  7. Rhonda P.

    I did want to be a nun after growing up watching “The Flying Nun” with Sally Field. Now, I too, collect religious crosses, rosaries, hymnals, framed photos, anything with Mary – my new path has lead me to make beautiful fabric photos of her in my creations. I’m very comforted by it all.
    Your post is so true, maybe there is an attachment to these artifacts, why else would we be so drawn to them?

    Reply
  8. Everton Terrace

    I completely agree with you about genetic coding. I can never narrow the who would I want to talk to list down – famous people like Nostradamus, DaVinci, Jesus of course and then I go to past relatives I never got to meet – my father’s father, my husband’s father etc etc.
    I love that you don’t see a bird feeder because you know better, so funny Corey.

    Reply
  9. mimi

    First of all, I want to thank you for sharing your life. You have a deep sense of perception that is rare. Your honesty in good times and sad brings comfort to me as I deal with life’s ups and downs. I would like to talk with my(French)grandfather who passed away at the age of 38. He struggled with a devastating disease and left behind three small children. Even today my mother mourns his loss.

    Reply
  10. Patt

    Today, on my 57th birthday I would like to sit and visit with my father. I would like to know how he felt when his baby daughter was placed in his arms on that day so many years ago. I would like to know if he was worried about the state of the world. He has only been gone not even two years but there are things I wish I had discussed with him. I thought there was plenty of time. I would thank him for making my 17th birthday so special. Making sure I got to spend it just where I wanted. The French Riveria. Oh my, that has already been 40 years ago. I would thank him for him giving me and participating in my wonderful amazing life. Corey, what I do know is I was related to a great traveler. My Dad.

    Reply
  11. Chris Wittmann

    Wow, there are so many people I wish I could talk to, firstly Jesus, my grandmother from Naples, Italy, who died before I was born, my grandfather from Germany who also died before I was born, my Great-grandfather from Russia, who supposedly was a wealthy Russian landowner who “fooled around” with his pretty servant girl from East Prussia (would love to talk with her too!) thus giving birth to my illegitimate Grandfather from Germany, my dad who died in 1977, Buster Keaton, who was one of the finest performers of his art and who continues to make me smile, and George Washington, just to name a few! 🙂

    Reply
  12. Cheryl ~ Casual Cottage Chic

    My choice for talking to someone in the past would be Marie Antoinette. In the present day I would love to spend time with Annie!

    Reply
  13. liz

    hmmmmmm….Colette first….then Mark Twain.

    Reply
  14. Fran

    Genetic memory is something I believe in very strongly. I am drawn to Celtic Christianity. My roots are Scottish. The prayers from the Celts resonate within me.
    I also believe the Holy Spirit leads us. He certainly led me to your site, where I am inspired, amused, touched and fed by your musings on life.
    My favorite line today is the listing of saints,,,”Peter, Paul and Mary” -both the first century ones and the 1960’s version.
    Thanks, Corey.

    Reply
  15. marlis

    I too love religious artifacts. I think they are amazing pieces of art. And my dad threatened to send me to a convent when I was young.. would that have made a difference in my life!!!!!
    I would love to spend time with my grandmother right now. For her to get to meet my boys. and my grandchildren. To hear her wisdom again.

    Reply
  16. Bev

    I LOVE that you are drawn to religious artifacts as I have a penchant for those items too. Maybe it is because I’m in the business of faith or I think it reminds me of the great cloud of witnesses who have been drawn to God through such items for many centuries. (One of my favorite finds is a little cross from Jordan dated between the 4th and 5th century. I would love to talk with the owner of that cross.)
    Others: Well Jesus but then he’s with me every day. The Apostle Paul. Henri Nouwen. Martin Luther. Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Mary. Hannah. Priscilla (of Priscilla and Aquila). Elizabeth.
    Then my great-great grandmother on my father’s side and my great-grandmother on my Mom’s side.

    Reply
  17. georgie

    My Dad, to hear his wise advice and laughter once again. I miss his big hugs and reassurances that I could do anything and to not be afraid. The grandma whom I was named after and was so wise, strong and patient. Ben Franklin, DaVinci, Thomas Jefferson, Eleanor Roosevelt, Mother Teresa.

    Reply
  18. Jillayne

    I believe our genes have memories too. My Great-Great Grandmother died before I was born; she was a Milliner who imigrated to Canada with her adult daughter almost one hundred years ago. I cannot let a day go by that I don’t have a needle in my hand and my favourite thing has always been ribbon and making flowers. I didn’t find out she was a Milliner until many years after I had set foot on my own needlework path! I don’t just feel her presence with me, but her knowledge, in my head, guiding me through difficult parts and helping me along.

    Reply
  19. Sharon, Morrison Mercantile

    We are all of our ancestors who journeyed on this earth before us. I have some of my biological family roots embedded and a lot of my adoptive parent and family instincts. Both of my Mother’s were seamstress’s and homemakers. Both labored heavily under guilt, and rejection.
    But, my adoptive Grandmother was the one that was angelic in my view. I would love to spend time with her and ask her about life after 50. What were her fears, anxiety. Questions about adult children, love, travel…what important things should I do before I die.
    I have been drawn to religion since a child and even had an alter in my bedroom with one of those garish sea shell crucifix lights, and small alabaster statue of Mary and Jesus, (Mary has no hands).
    Gee…I guess I have said all of this, just to say that; I would love to talk to my Grandmother:-)

    Reply
  20. Judy

    …my twin brother John…who took his leave from this planet and journeyed on without me…
    two months ago…in the Spring of our 64th year…I will love him forever…and like Corey, I believe in past lives…and future lives…Judy

    Reply
  21. Toni Mason

    I would love to meet Jesus(but as in one of the posts above, He is with me always)and Mary Magdalene of course. I too love religious pieces, have got a few statues for the back yard from your Mom. I would have loved to have met my great, great, grandmother Concetta, she was a child bride (16) from Catania, Sicily. I am just now learning alot about her. Amazing connection I feel for her.

    Reply
  22. Darlene

    I’d love to talk with my grandfather again.

    Reply
  23. PJT

    I find myself “saving” religious artifacts too and chalk it up to my very liberal catholic upbringing. But when I wanted to save a huge painting of nuns from a garage sale, I had to think that maybe my jewish husband 🙂 would not see its beauty as I did! Ha! The convent attached to my high school closed and I was blessed to rescue some of the original cell crucifixes. The stories they must hold! Keep collecting and showing Corey!

    Reply
  24. Brenda L from TN

    So many people I wish I could talk to…
    First of…..Jesus, Mary,his mother(what it was like being 14 and pregnant with the son of God), My great grandparents on both sides since all were dead by the time I was born, then being Lutheran, Martin Luther, Michael Angelo,Leonardo DiVinci and last but not least…my Mother.
    There are others but these are the people I want to talk to FIRST…

    Reply
  25. Jo

    I wish I could talk with my grandmother Ivah. She died nearly fifty years ago when I was seven. Sadly, Ivah’s mother ~ a young Swedish immigrant ~ died when Ivah was only nine. Her father did not know how to raise a young girl on his own so she was sent from Chicago to a convent school in Little Rock, Arkansas where she lived amongst the nuns until she graduated from high school. My mother would let us sift through her special box of Ivah’s trinkets and ephemera which included all sorts of exotic medals, rosaries, pictures of flaming hearts and tiny bottles of holy water. I was so intrigued by these things because we were not catholic, (as a matter of fact neither was Ivah ~ even after her years in the convent school!), but she had kept all of these religious things that had been so much a part of her life during her years at the convent. I was so in awe of these things that were not a part of my religious experience. I thought that they were imbued with special powers ~ and in a way they were.

    Reply
  26. momof5

    In no particular order…..
    Deceased…
    Mozart
    Voltaire
    D.H. Lawarance
    Emily Dickenson
    Woody Guthrie
    my dad
    Living…
    Queen Elizabeth
    Francis Mayes
    Corey Amaro

    Reply
  27. carol

    I would love to meet my grandmothers and my great aunt that raised my father. I am told that I favor my maternal grandmother very much. She died when my mother was a young girl. My mother tells a story that during the depression, she (my grandmother) gave her gold wedding band to help a family in need. My father never got to see his mother. I never had a grandmother. I would love to ask the great aunt all about my father as a young boy.
    I would also love to talk with my aunt again. We were so close and she loved me completely, as I did her.She gave me her journals, which I cherish. There are so many more….
    Loving religious things….that’s a good thing. 🙂

    Reply
  28. Zosia

    I would like to talk to my Mom. She passed away from ovarian cancer when I was 14 years old. She was 54. I remember her as my Mom, but now, when I am a middle aged woman with a daughter of my own, with many life experiences behind me, good and bad, funny and sad, I would like to talk to her as another woman, not jut my Mom. I would like to know her as HER, not just my Mom. I would like to know what she dreamed of when she was young and whether those wishes came through. I would like to know what she wanted to do for herself in her life. She had 4 small children right after the war in Poland when life was very hard and then when she was 40 she had me, her 5th child, so most of her life she had to cook and clean and wash clothes (whithout the modern washing machine) and take care of small children which barely left her time to breath let alone do something for herself. I wish I could ask her what she would do if she had the time and I would like to make it possible for her.

    Reply
  29. Amanda

    I’d love to speak with St. Teresa of Avila! She was reportedly witty, intelligent, and quite a charming conversationalist, in addition to being a saint and a Doctor of the Church (one of only 2 women to be so declared). Also, Voltaire, Shakespeare, Colette, and my maternal grandparents, whom I never knew in life, but to whom I’ve always felt very close. I love your blog, which I stumbled upon by a series of accidents. I’ve bookmarked it, and read almost daily. Always something lovely to look at, and thoughtful and wonderful to read. Thank you so very much for sharing with us!

    Reply
  30. sabel

    Lovely Corey –
    I believe in past lives and think current interests and affinities can often be linked to a kind of soul memory – but we have to embrace the present and not get too hung up on the past. I see it as an enriching of the dimensions of ourselves, it gives us insight but does not define who we are today.
    Have you ever read a book called (in English) He and I and in the original French Lui et Moi by Gabrielle Bossis? I find it one of the most beautiful books ever – I feel you would like it very much. I’m sure you would find it in any Catholic book shop. If I could speak to someone it might be her, even if only briefly. But, there are so many I’d like to see (again) family, friends, saints and poets –

    Reply
  31. jend’isère

    Perhaps tangible items we can hold help make the ephemeral seem more real? Belief may feel like they slip away unless we have something to hold on to.

    Reply
  32. Kitty Gagen

    “What I do believe is that our genetic code carries (for lack of a better word) memory, stories, a history, a past that shapes who we are. I believe that traces of what my great-great-great- great (you get where I am going with this great thing) Grandmother feelings, life and possible dreams are within me.”
    I have cakked this “inherited memories” for years!!!!!

    Reply
  33. M

    hi, corey,
    having been in my life a seller of both chinese roast pork and of rosary beads and crucifixes, i share your wonder about the past.
    being both secular humanist and a jew, i’ve been laughing at myself for years over the stuff i peddled and never had any use for.
    i suppose i would want to talk to michelangelo or the guy who designed the hanging gardens of babylon or closety leonardo, had i the opportunity. strangely, i have never found anyone who was both a great musician and a great designer. i guess there’s hereditary if not biogenetic division of arts.
    but i am glad you gave me the chance to speculate. thank you. m

    Reply
  34. Judy B.

    My Mamma, who passed almost nine years ago..how I miss her!! I would like to ask her about Heaven and other questions that I have. First a visit with my Mamma, and then a family reunion with members of my family who have passed…each one dear and truly loved. For sure, we all have had past lives…that’s what makes us each so different and special.

    Reply
  35. Marie-Noëlle

    People of the past :
    1- My mother. I’d have so much to talk about with her, especially about my husband + children (whom she never met). I’d love to know what she thinks about her grandchildren.
    2- Jean Moulin.
    3- The persons who wrote the Bible.
    People of the present :
    1- Nelson Mandela.
    2- Johnny Clegg.
    ___________
    I asked my husband :
    – Mââtma Gandhi
    – Léonard De Vinci

    Reply
  36. Cheryl Seymour

    I’d love a conversation with Oscar Wilde – simply for the entertainment value.

    Reply
  37. cynthia Wolff @Beatenheart

    Thought provoking post and even more so with the comments. You have such bright and shining followers. I would love to gather somewhere with them all and spend a weekend and talk and laugh and cry about posts we have all shared. My house looks like a convent. I was brought up in Wisconsin and the flea markets are filled with big religious prints that our ancestors brought from the old country. Lots of people came from Eastern Europe and so many gorgeous old religious stuff much of which is in my house or my shop. I love angels and Mary with Lilies and St. Teresa the best.

    Reply
  38. Velvet Otterhound

    I am in LOVE with that wine bottle opener!

    Reply
  39. OLIVIA

    “What I do believe is that our genetic code carries (for lack of a better word) memory, stories, a history, a past that shapes who we are. I believe that traces of what my great-great-great- great (you get where I am going with this great thing) Grandmother feelings, life and possible dreams are within me.”
    You spoke volumes to me with the above comment!!! There was a TV show recently that researched the family history of various celebrities. One was Brooke Shields. As a young student, she majored in French literature. Many years later, she researched her past, and was surprised to learn that her family had connections to the Le Louvre – very significant connections. She too said that she felt there was some genetic memory that made her very interested in French history. I think there is something to this genetic memory theory.

    Reply
  40. Ariane

    Corey, I totally understand what you’re saying in this post. I have also wondered if I could have been a nun or priest in a past life – if we do have past lives. I’m strongly attracted to religious items, too. Plus I have strong feelings for Spanish Colonel architecture and decor, and for England and English items. So who knows? I hope when we die that is one of the great mysteries that is revealed to us.

    Reply
  41. matie

    Hi, I wrote an article on this subject too that may be of your interest! I also mention the subject of Indigo children as old souls. Hope you like it!
    http://www.squidoo.com/PastLifeTest
    -Matie

    Reply
  42. lindad

    I have one of the corkscrews you featured,I know nothing about it,is it French?

    Reply

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