Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

Away She Goes

The people at the airport check-in counter rarely smile.

Their faces matched my mood.

We knew Chelsea's suitcase was overweight by thirteen pounds, we were prepared to pay for it.

But when we heard that it was $20 for every extra pound she decided to pull some stuff out.

The mounting emotions melted over the mole hill.

We took out thirteen pounds, stuffing her well choosen bits of daily life into a shopping bag, promising to mail it as soon as possible.

Twenty pounds, and one very heavy carry on Chelsea boarded the plane for China.

We drove home… the shopping bag containing Chelsea's extra thirteen pounds sat at my feet– I took her perfume, opened the bottle and breathed in.

Comments

46 responses to “Away She Goes”

  1. Deb

    much love to you Corey. you are an AMAZING mother! xo Deb

    Reply
  2. Nancy W

    Corey,
    You two are very good and giving parents. I know it is difficult but hope you can take comfort in knowing you are as brave as your parents were when they put you on the flight to France. Best wishes to you all.

    Reply
  3. Sharon, Morrison Mercantile

    smells……oh yes!! some make me cry.

    Reply
  4. Karen@PasGrand-Chose

    Corey, I came back from seeing my daughter go back to university, and read your post. I know how you feel and how hard it is. Love and best wishes, Karen

    Reply
  5. Kathie B.

    Remember that Proust memorialized the aroma of freshly-baked Madeleines recalled from his youth in “Recherche du Temps Perdu” (or “Em Busca do Tempo Perdido,”* as it’s titled in Portuguese).
    * Corey, does this ring a bell? LOL!

    Reply
  6. Kathie B.

    “À la recherche du temps perdu”

    Reply
  7. Betty K

    Corey, my heart goes out to you. My daughter lives in another state and is 38 years old, and I still feel melancholy after she leaves. Add two grandchildren and, whew, more smells and sounds to miss! I am remembering your words about a mother’s heart is never her own.

    Reply
  8. Cheryl ~ Casual Cottage Chic

    Isn’t it strange how life journeys are repeated? I’m certain your parents felt the same as you are feeling, watching you board the plane to live in France. A repeat in life as you watched Sacha leave France for California; Chelsea to California and now China. But the one common link…you always come back home. Home to California; home to France. And much adventure in between those journeys!

    Reply
  9. jeni

    Corey, I sympathize with you. In the wee hours in the am, I will see
    my son off as he flys back to Cambridge to finish his masters. I will have to say good-bye knowing I will probably not see him until The end of July. We are busy packing, trying to decide if we send an extra suitcase with Peanut Butter and Cheeirios, the two things he really misses in England. I am busy and cheerful, but my heart is aching.
    Best of wishes to Chelsea on her journey, and I send hugs to her parents. We can be so proud as we see them fly away!

    Reply
  10. tamara

    Your sadness will turn to joy as soon as you hear how much fun she is having over there. Her new experiences will have you bubbling over with excitement for her and with SKYPE you can feel like neighbors. That is what happened with Madison and me when she was gone the year abroad. Italy, France, Vienna, Argentina and Chile. She just got home December and oh the wonderful changes and maturity. Stunning! Chelsea will blossom like you never imagined and again you will be swimming in happiness. Love to you all!

    Reply
  11. Jeanne

    A flood of emotions always everytime I say goodbye to my Son…….too
    Big hugs
    Just think of the dreams she is building for herself.
    Big hugs my darling
    I love you
    Jeanne

    Reply
  12. Stubblejumpin’ Gal

    Poor Mama.
    Are you already planning a trip to China to see Chelsea?
    I’ll look forward to your blogging about that journey.

    Reply
  13. pattyg

    Hope Chelsea has arrived safely at her destination. So many heartfelt posts!

    Reply
  14. Jenny N

    OH, man. you made me cry. I know that feeling, not with my children yet, but in loosing a loved one and their very scent hits you somehow…how powerful that is. Some people in China are about to be blessed in knowing Chelsea.

    Reply
  15. carol

    Your posts are so heartfelt. I feel this way every time my daughter leaves. My son is a junior, so I will repeat this cycle again. Smells bring back such memories. I remember smelling my mother’s peonies and bursting into tears.
    Thinking of you.

    Reply
  16. Jenna

    Chelsea will be coming back soon with so many stories for you to sit up and chat about. She’ll enchant and delight you! Perhaps spraying that perfume on a few things before it makes it’s journey East would be nice.

    Reply
  17. annette richmond

    I too have been where you are at this moment. As I drove off in a rental truck moving to California and leaving my son in Texas. I cried all the way to New Mexico, I don’t know how my husband stood it. My Mothers heart goes out to you. But know things will get better.

    Reply
  18. Toni Mason

    Corey, I know the feeling of leaving your daughter behind…she’ll be fine! We on the other hand????? Love to you.

    Reply
  19. naomi

    Tears. My girl is only 8, but sometimes I see a day like this in the future and don’t know how I will face it without breaking into pieces.

    Reply
  20. Danielle C.

    Nothing is quite as evocative as a remembered fragrance…Your post made me tear up for my own mother, who also has a daughter roaming the world. I think I need to make a phone call.

    Reply
  21. Judi

    You’re breaking my mother-heart. Know that feeling well, Corey. Hang in there.

    Reply
  22. Marianna

    What is Chelsea’s favorite perfume? Just curious…
    She is an amazing young woman! Best of luck to her in her adventures!
    ____________________________
    Hi M.
    My daughter’s favorite perfume is:
    Narciso Rodriguez
    C.

    Reply
  23. Merisi, Vienna

    ((((((xxx)))))

    Reply
  24. Merisi, Vienna

    Oopsie, that comment took off before its time! 😉
    It is all so true about Chelsea, and any other child who sets out to cease the opportunities afforded, the world is their oyster,
    but undeniably there is also this touch of melancholy when one sees one’s children going off, to faraway places it is even more so. I remember looking at my oldest when she was two and half years old, being so full of joy that suddenly I could have a “conversation” with her, and in the same instant realizing that she may one day, just as I had done, go out into the world. That thought has never left me since then. And still, what a blessing, being able to be there when they are ready to fly the coop. Blessings to all of you! Hugs, M.

    Reply
  25. LaurieSF

    Overheard today from a four year old to her Mother…”Mommy, I just want a hot cocoa and a cuddle.”
    What an amazing woman you are, Corey. So nurturing and loving…your words. How proud you must be.

    Reply
  26. Tamra/The Gilded Barn

    ouch

    Reply
  27. Nancy

    I still have the pillow case off my daughter’s pillow encased in a plastic zipper bag from when she left home for college……over 7 years ago! She’s getting married in 8 months and I am re-living the separation anxiety all over again even though we have not lived in the same state since she was 18. She will be 26 on Monday. Live and love well, Dear Corey!

    Reply
  28. LibbyWNZ

    I loooove Narcisso Rodriguez – have had several bottles. Scent is a very powerful key to open the door to our hearts

    Reply
  29. Marilyn

    Happy adventures to Chelsea! That is alot. We are being forced to travel light – kicking and screaming!

    Reply
  30. Jo

    The world is Chelsea’s oyster and China will be an incredible learning experience for her. You and FH must be so very proud of her.

    Reply
  31. Debra

    C, life changes so quickly before our eyes; I wish closing my eyes would make it stop. I’m right there with you, I can feel it there as I feel it here. All we have is tomorrow, and God willing the day after that.

    Reply
  32. Shelley Noble

    Such a loving touch. Very moving. That’s love.

    Reply
  33. Liz

    Dam it Corey, this one really got me…
    I remember doing the same thing when my boys left home…I walked in their room and just the scent of some their shirts, left in the closet, had me crying uncontrollably. I don’t think anyone but a mother can understand this feeling.
    My heart can feel what your heart is feeling right now.
    And to think, in one week, I will have to experience this feeling all over again when my daughter goes back to school in Italy.
    My love is with you!

    Reply
  34. Alicia

    I thought of you throughout the day today!

    Reply
  35. Andrea

    *sniffle* My heart is with your family…

    Reply
  36. Brenda

    Oh my! I have kept it together all day, as someone stole my IPhone! Now I am loosing it as I read your post! I would much rather have my IPhone go Bye-bye than my child!!!
    God Bless you, Corey…
    Brenda, Kindred Hearts Antiques, Walker, LA

    Reply
  37. Patt

    Corey, I walk with you…..sent my daughter back to NY this week. Wishing she could find a job and move home soon. Never a long enough visit and always tooooo long between visits. I say my prayers every night a Veterinarian is needed in Northern Ca.

    Reply
  38. Miss Robyn

    it is always so difficult saying goodbye.. we all share the same emotions no matter where we live xoxo

    Reply
  39. Linda

    I had the same thing happen to me when I left for college. A kind relative brought me my left behind suitcase a few weeks later.

    Reply
  40. Rhonda P.

    It is very hard to let someone you love so much – go. We cried for days after my nephew moved to Florida, he was our world.
    He came back a young man and still sweet as ever. Gone are the days of babying that child. With only one grandchild/nephew in the family, he was an angel sent from heaven.
    I feel your aching pain, Corey. Much love to you and I hope Skype heals your wounds.

    Reply
  41. Kathy

    We hug them, love them, kiss them, and send them out into the world. Then, we turn around and let the tears fall.
    This is the part they don’t tell you when you bring them home from the hospital.
    Cheers, Corey.
    Kathy

    Reply
  42. Michelle

    My daughter is five and I am already dreading this moment. I love your blog. Thanks for taking me along on your journey.

    Reply
  43. annie

    Achingly bittersweet, Corey. Can you feel my hug?

    Reply
  44. Michelle M in KY

    My dear Corey…
    sniff…sniff
    This is so touching. I am sure you are missing her deeply, as she is you.
    Hugs from KY.
    By the way…after my Dad passed I kept a bottle of his aftershave and I smell it every morning while getting ready. Brings me comfort & reminds me that he is close everyday. Thinking of you.

    Reply
  45. Carolyn

    “I took her perfume, opened the bottle and breathed in.” Do you think our children can ever truly understand the meaning of that line until and unless they become parents themselves? Beautiful.

    Reply
  46. Kiki

    I can’t read all the comments but one thought sprung to my mind:
    Care more about people under seven and over seventy – and another one:
    When abroad, phone your family OFTEN
    To the 1st point: It’s no good to write back that people between 7 and 70 also need care and love; it’s the fact that when you’re very young or rather oldish, you need more attention because you are not getting it ‘anyway’ in your daily life. Both my mothers have left their husbands and I am amazed how thankful each one is over my phone calls. From France it costs literally next to nothing and it’s great to hear a loved one’s voice….
    I buy Chanel No 5 for my mum because that’s HER smell – but it is expensive and she often has to do with something less exciting! Still, I smell somebody’s No 5 and my mother is with me!

    Reply

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