Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

Sachinga is Coming Back

Wooden shoes molds

 

I wouldn't want to be in his shoes. Saying goodbye after spending a year in the USA ain't gonna be easy!

My mom made him breakfast every morning while he stayed with her this year… My mom and Sacha hold a special place in each other's hearts, not only because she is his grandmother, and he is her grandson, but moreso, when Sacha was born I found out I had ovarian cancer, my mom came and helped… Sacha was a wee one in her arms, and I, her daughter was ill. My mom called Sacha, "Sachinga (wrong spelling, but it sounds right.)" which she said meant, "Little buttons". The nick-name stuck. My mom stayed with us in France, off and on, for nearly a year.

In our family "missing someone" is as natural as breathing. Though saying goodbye to  someone we love is not, it feels like punching a wound that never heal.

Sacha will be saying goodbye to many loved ones today, and I feel for him! I can imagine a river of tears.

And on this end of the river, a flood of happiness, all four, in one house, after one year. And what a year it has been.

______________________

Do you have a nickname? If so, how did you get it?

Comments

37 responses to “Sachinga is Coming Back”

  1. Zosia

    Sadness and happiness, arrivals and goodbyes – all part of life. Sacha went to the States to broaden his horizons, learn about life in a different country and culture and he is also getting this tough emotional education. Not easy, but useful in dealing with whatever life throws your way. Safe journey home.

    Reply
  2. Sam

    Oh, I thought he few back with you, I had images of him watching tv on mute in that yotel while you slept next to him.
    Little buttons, I love that. It was an extra special gift you and FH gave Sacha and your mother then, another year in each other’s arms. Enjoy your reunion, I am sure he will soon remember all the things he loves about it. Welcome home.

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  3. Kelleyn

    My grandfather called me jelly belly as a child because it rythmed with Kelly. My dad called me silly face after the ziggy cartoon. We call our new baby baquette because she is so small like a loaf of bread.

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  4. Eileen @ Passions to Pastry

    “Leenchia” (try to imagine that pronounced as if it were German… also, “Leenie). Both of my parents, who grew up in German households in the Amana Colonies (Iowa),called me that instead of my name Eileen. When my father died this past December, I thought, no one will ever call me that again. Also… it is wonderful having everyone under one roof. My eldest daughter lives several blocks from us, and very occasionally she will stay with us at night. It gives me such a calmness when we’re all together. This September my youngest leaves for college. What a change (and emptiness)that will be.

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  5. Bev

    My nickname going up was Bev-o which my brother still occasionally calls me. I hated it and I’d always end up fighting him. Now I just sigh and go on. Don’t know really why it bothered me. I think it was because it was my brother doing it.

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  6. Pauline

    always in a family, this exquisite mixture of pain and joy

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  7. katiebell

    Katiebell, my best friend called me that one day when I walked into class laughing my loud ringing laugh! It has stuck enough to be my name here. 🙂

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  8. Ardi

    My Dad nicknamed me Nub when I was born because he said I was no bigger than a nubbin of corn. Only he and another family friend called me that and they are, sadly, both gone now. I love Sacha’s nickname – how sweet.

    Reply
  9. Paula

    Toots, not as in the trumpet toots, but short for Tootsie. My oldest brother was 11 when my mom brought me home from the hospital and that’s what he called me and still does. I love it!

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  10. JudyO

    Safe travels to Sacha and happy reunion to Mom.

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  11. Karen@PasGrande-Chose

    Yes, what a year of changes and travels, Corey, and how lucky we are to have been able to share it with you!
    How wonderful to have your family united again – I guess this is how it will be for all of us as we and our children get older … more absences (the negative) but sweeter reunions and opportunities for exciting travel. Seems to me those are some pretty powerful positives!

    Reply
  12. Cheryl ~ Casual Cottage Chic

    I too thought he came back to France with you but now I read that his travel to the States will end and home he will fly. Hopefully the next time he comes to the States he will travel around and see more of the American way of life outside California and Willows.
    Tears will flow, both happy and sad…a true learning experience for all that have touched him over the past year.

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  13. Shirley

    I am happy for you to have Sacha home. I am sad for the family in Willows. He will be missed. It was good that he got to spend the year with them and grow the bond.
    Homecomings are joyous and goodbyes are sad.

    Reply
  14. everton terrace

    When I was little I was usually called “net”, just the end of my name until I pronounced I wanted to be called by my full name. We call my daughter all measure of nicknames poor girl has about 5-6 (chicken, boo, moomer etc). My husband refers to her as Tina even though her name is Meghan. It comes from silly movie they both thought was much funnier than I. Truthfully it took so well that I often call her Tina as well. She likes them all I think 🙂
    Poor Sacha.

    Reply
  15. Natalie Thiele

    Growing up I called my sister Beverly “Bevo” too. She also hated it. Several of her friends still call her that. She finally took it as a name of endearment.

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  16. Natalie Thiele

    My mother had tons of nicknames for me- Nata, Nootie, Nootalator (a particular nonfavorite of mine), etc. I would beg her to just call me Natalie.
    I don’t give nicknames to friends or family (except for calling my sister “Bevo”), but have always given my cats zillions of nicknames. They don’t seem to mind.

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  17. Chris Wittmann

    So happy for you Corey but I know what Sacha is going through. Fortunately, it’s a small world and in a matter of hours you could all be together again. My parents had several nicknames for me…all pleasant I might add 🙂 One of them was “Spook”…a name which stuck through adulthood and now that they are both gone there is noone left to call me that which makes me feel very sad. They named me Spook because I was a chronic sleepwalker.

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  18. Maura

    Hi Corey,
    I feel sad for your son and your Mom…what a special bond. You have such a loving family. I’m happy for you though…how wonderful to have both children home again at least for a while! My nickname is Pud (sounds like the beginning of PUDing) I got that name from my Pop for two reasons. First my mother used to use cornstarch on my diaper rash when I was a baby and later after putting a bowl of chocolate pudding on my head when I was little (they took a picture!). My step sisters still call me that and when they slip and call my by my given name it just doesn’t sound right coming from them. I hope you have a wonderful day!

    Reply
  19. Patt

    Choo Choo. When i was little I could not say Patricia. Choo Choo was what would come out. Now I only get that when I talk on the phone with my parents old friends. And…their numbers are sadly fading.
    Sacha, I am sure will be happy to be home. Willows will call him again someday.

    Reply
  20. Rebecca from the pacific northwest

    Sooo many nicknames for me!
    My little sister loved to invent names; she called me “REE-be-cus Broccoli”. No idea why, other than a vague nod to Rebecca. Although I went by Becky back then.
    In college the name had been shortened to simply “B.” and a close friend from then still calls me Beasie.
    And a fond favorite was coined when my youngest nephew came along; he pronounced the big mouthful of “Aunt Rebecca” as “Anka Bekka.” Best part is that he just graduated from college and still calls me that, most of the time. I love it.
    I’m feeling for the loss of Sacha and his girlfriend. Although what cachet for her, to have had a French Boyfriend all this year!

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  21. amylia grace

    This post made me cry. Imagining Sacha having to leave all his friends and family, his girlfriend and chicks (literally chicks), and life in California. I know what the feels like after my year in Germany at his age, and while I longed to return to the States, it was so very hard to leave my other half. I still miss it, and still feel torn between “home” and “home.”
    I wonder what he will do…where he will land…France? US? Split his time? Ah, loving something, someone, someplace is so rewarding and yet so hard when you cannot be in more than one place at once.
    Schrödinger’s cat, anyone?

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  22. Mélanie Aussandon

    I have several , my sister calls me ” Maya ” and so does my parents and my cousins always called me Cachou . I don’t know why

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  23. Jeannie

    My father calls me Grace, due to the numerous bandages on my knees thoughout my life. Hubby calls me toots or Gert, from our river running days.

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  24. Kimberly

    I am Kimba the white lion just like from the cartoon. It has stuck with me for 42 years and we just had a family reunion last week and it was so good hearing everyone calling me Kimba all week long. Blessings, Kimberly

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  25. Marina

    My initials are MG and my best friend in high school who loved all things British nicknamed me after the car maker of the Mini Cooper and the MG – Morris Garage. When addressing me it was always shortened to “Morris” or “Morrie”. In time this person’s parents and brother also called me by that name. In my high school yearbook “Morrie” appears under my picture. I am sure my own family never understood this! I am a female, by the way.

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  26. Tamra/The Gilded Barn

    motor mouth. Does that really need any explanation?

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  27. Franca Bollo

    Sacha’s young and adaptable. He has his whole life ahead of him. It is your mother, to whom my heart goes out.

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  28. Franca Bollo

    And, I can’t think of any nicknames …
    ah ha ha ha haaaaaaaaaaa …

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  29. Brother Mathew

    Said my good bye to Sacha. Like Franca Bolla said, he has his whole life ahead of him. Have fun Sacha!

    Reply
  30. Carolyn

    My nickname is Dundee. When my first niece was little she started calling me Dundee and the only thing we can come up with is that the adults referred to me as Auntie Carolyn at the time. She must have changed Auntie to Dundee. All of my beautiful nieces (both blood and chosen) call me Dundee, save one who has Cerebral Palsy and insists that is improper to call me solely by my name. So to her alone I am Aunt Dundee.
    I’m glad Sacha had the opportunity to fulfill one of his many dreams and that he and your family spent this past year building many memories that will carry them all thru the years to come! I’m sure his French family is eager to see him and his friends are ready to catch up on all they have missed! Good luck to Sacha in his next adventure!

    Reply
  31. Sue

    I don’t envy him those goodbyes either, but what a wonderful reunion for those of you on the other side!
    My dad always called me Sue Anndee (sounds like Andy – my full name is Sue Ann). I always loved that for some reason.
    My 15 years older brother called me Punkin until I turned 13. I remember missing it so much, and when I asked him why he stopped he said, “I figured you had outgrown it, and would feel embarrassed.” WAH! I still kind of miss it!
    And, of course, I often got called Suzie Q, and because of my maiden name and those little blue cartoon characters I was also called Smurphy all through Jr High and High School (hated that!).

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  32. Joanny

    Beautiful story, poignant and tender.
    joanny

    Reply
  33. Gracie

    It’s always sad to say goodbye, but the memories of love should help not feeling too bad.

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  34. Vickie

    a little bitter, mostly sweet. happiness is truly the family all in one room at one time – yay!

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  35. Aunt Shelley

    Oh, how I love that boy. I’m going to miss him but excited for him to start on a new adventure. Take care Sachinga!

    Reply
  36. Alison Murray Whittington

    Twenty years ago this month, I left for a year away, in Germany. I am so full of nostalgia, and remember how sad I was to come back to the United States. The culture shock coming back was far worse than the culture shock going, probably because it was so unexpected.
    I have many nicknames, but the two that stick out are Alison Wonderland, given to me by my classmates at 5 – I hated it for years, but grew to love it – and (The Great) Alisoni, given to me by my mother, I think.
    I call my son Wigs, short for Wiggleworm, among other things!

    Reply
  37. Bramble

    Corey- When Sacha first went to Willows I thought “oh how nice, he will have an American experience while being w/family”. Now that he has been there a year it occurs to me that not only did he accomplish that, but also got to experience what makes you YOU and this family experience will make and shape part of who he is the rest of his life. What an extraordinary gift!
    Enjoy your time all together, as we know with “young adults” this age, they won’t be still for long!
    Many nicknames for me: My birth name Elisabeth has many… Bets, Beth, Dizzy Lizzy,Lizzy Bef,you get the idea! My grandfather called me “Our Wild Irish Rose” which prompted a boy cousin to reply ” A rose? She is more like a Bramble” and so Bramble stuck with all boy cousins to this day. Other side of the family called me “Matilda or Tilly” absolutely no explaination other than someone started and it stuck. My nephews couldn’t say my name connected with Aunt and it came out Abby and that’s who I am to them! A friend calls me Tallulah and that has gone on for 45 years, but I don’t know why! My husband usually calls me by my name or refers to me as “his dove”, goofy but endearing!

    Reply

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