Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

Internship in Mexico

 

What is love? That famous question that seeks an answer, over and over again.

The last time I saw my Grandmother Amaro, she stood behind me and embraced me. I laughed saying it was a funny way to be hugged good bye? She hugged me tighter whispering in my ear:

"This is how my Mother embraced me, when I left the Azores, to come to America. When I open my arms, you are facing your destiny, your future, and I'm behind you letting you go. That is love, letting others be who they are, standing behind them, loving them all the more.

When my Grandmother opened her arms I saw what she meant.

…..

In December Chelsea and Mr. Espresso will continue their studies by doing an internship in Mexico City.

I am looking at this nest called home.

Why don't those little birds stay little?

I am happy, really I am, spreading wings is what I want my children to do.

I am eyeing her bedroom…

Comments

31 responses to “Internship in Mexico”

  1. Irina

    Nice, they’re going together this time 😉

    Reply
  2. Jeanne

    Yes my darling we give them roots and WINGS to fly.
    Love you
    Jeanne

    Reply
  3. Kristin

    Wow! Chelsea certainly is getting the best of international studies! Is this typical of French schools or is she seeking them out?

    Reply
  4. Kay

    What a blessing from your Grandmother and from her Mother and now given to Chelsea by you. Thank you for sharing it with us – I can see so many times in our lives when we need to hug from behind. You did it also with your Father when you had to let him go. Thank you for sharing so much with us. Know that we also hug you from behind and support you as you love Chelsea and Shasha with love that allows freedom and growth. I think it is also how God loves us. Thank you and your Grandmother for putting it in words and in a vision that we can see.

    Reply
  5. Cheryl ~ Casual Cottage Chic

    Mexico…Mexico City.Please make sure they understand the dangers in that country, as I know they will want to go exploring. Just saying…..

    Reply
  6. Zosia

    Will they be gone for Christmas? I hope they learn a lot and have a great time.
    Regarding Chelsea’s bedroom, it will be an amicable takeover (as opposed to hostile takeover) :-).

    Reply
  7. Brenda L. from TN.

    What a beautiful good-bye from your grandmother..truly lovely…our babies DO grow up…and fly away but knowing where HOME is.
    Please tell Chelsea to have a great time in Mexico but please be careful.

    Reply
  8. Rhonda

    Bon Voyage, as I agree with Cheryl, that country is in such turmoil. I think it is so nice they are going together during this time of their studies and life.

    Reply
  9. Amy Kortuem

    That moment with your Grandmother was so precious, so beautiful. It brought tears to my eyes.

    Reply
  10. kim

    I can only echo what Kay said. In fact, I’m going to incorporate that expression “hug from behind” into my life vocabulary. It’s wonderful to love your children for who they are and to give them that freedom to go out in the world to learn and grow. It’s scary but such a gift.

    Reply
  11. Marilyn

    What adventures Chelsea and Mr. Espresso will have. I wish them well.

    Reply
  12. Kathie B

    Baby birds are eventually SUPPOSED to fledge, Corey!
    One measure of parental success is educating and training offspring to become adults (as opposed to infantilizing them by not letting them leave the nest). By this criterion (and others), your and Yann’s parenting has been successful.

    Reply
  13. Birdbrain

    Sorry, I’m with Cheryl and Rhonda on this one, plus yesterday NPR did a piece on Veracruz and the battling drug cartels and that tourism is way down. Scary corrupt country – I’d keep the sightseeing to a minimum or go to a different country all together if they have the choice.

    Reply
  14. Shelley Noble

    “This is how my Mother embraced me, when I left the Azores, to come to America. When I open my arms, you are facing your destiny, your future, and I’m behind you letting you go. That is love, letting others be who they are, standing behind them, loving them all the more.
    What an extraordinary tradition. I will adopt this always.
    Good luck to Chelsea and Mr. Espresso

    Reply
  15. kelleyn

    Your story of your grandmother brought tears to my eyes. So sweet!

    Reply
  16. Kathie B

    Agree with Birdbrain, Cheryl and Rhonda. I heard that National Public Radio report too, Birdbrain:
    http://www.npr.org/2011/10/26/141727973/drug-violence-swamps-a-once-peaceful-mexican-city
    Chelsea and Mr. Espresso would be well-advised to consult the US State Department travel warnings before contemplating any sojourns out of town. “Travel Warning – U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
    Bureau of Consular Affairs – Mexico”:
    http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_5440.html
    See State Department’s advisories for other nations as well:
    http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html
    (I assume France posts similar warnings online for its citizens.)

    Reply
  17. Carol L

    My sister lives in southern California and says that the friends of hers that used to go to Mexico City all the time no longer travel there for long weekends or business trips. The govt has become even more corrupt over the last year that they say it is now dangerous in even the best places. I really think that Chelsea and her friend need to seriously rethink this trip.

    Reply
  18. Deb in IN

    Oh Corey, that hug is the most lovely gesture. My son will be going to Tanzania for his fall semester next August. I know undoubtedly that I will appropriate that gesture–although I will liekly not be strong enough to voice those words outloud, I will be thinking them as I hold–and then release–his shoulders. Thank you.

    Reply
  19. TEXAS FRANCOPHILE

    Oh I love your grandmother’s lesson of hugs.
    Hugs are so healing.
    A word of caution. I am a Texan who used cross
    Into Mexico 2 or 3 times a year. Those days are
    Over. It is a beautiful country with amazing culture.
    But today it is extremely dangerous for the locals
    Not to mention foreigners. Anyone that can held
    For ransom. Not to be an alarmist, but I would
    Encourage them to reconsider. Suggest Argentina
    Xoxo Texas Francophile

    Reply
  20. Diane

    I hear the flea markets are great. how beautiful a post.

    Reply
  21. Marie-Noëlle

    Lucky them !!!
    I bet you are planning another trip…
    What about Mexico… just by chance !!!????
    😉

    Reply
  22. Kathie B

    How about Brazil instead? It would give Chelsea a chance to learn one of her ancestral languages (albeit with a different accent). Besides, Brazil is one of the upcoming BRIC [Brazil, Russia, India, China] world superpowers!

    Reply
  23. Judi

    Thank you for sharing that story, Corey. I will remember it always, especially during the pain of letting my little birdies take flight. Lovely, lovely.
    And, YES! – the bedroom is yours again. Yippee!

    Reply
  24. Cheryl ~ Casual Cottage Chic

    Yes, Brazil would be a much better country for an internship. San Paulo and Rio have their problems as well (pick pockets everywhere when we were there) but nothing like the drug cartels and violence in Mexico! Please rethink this young “birds”…and check with the French Embassy in Mexico City before making the final decision.

    Reply
  25. Cheryl ~ Casual Cottage Chic

    Agree 100%…go elsewhere but NOT Mexico!

    Reply
  26. deborah

    I would definitely eye the bedroom, because you have to look for the golden lining even when you know there is sadness involved.

    Reply
  27. Gina

    That is such a lovely description of letting your kids live Corey. It makes me so sad because my Mum is struggling with me living so far away. I know she wants me to be happy but sometimes the things she says make me so sad and guilty. I wish a could sprinkle a little bit of your happiness on her.

    Reply
  28. Julie M ~ The Little Red Shop

    Ha!
    : )
    Julie M.

    Reply
  29. Kiki

    what a wise and generous grandmother Amaro you had… I never saw it like this but I see it loud and clearly now…. Good luck and tons of love for Chelsea & Mr Espresso…..

    Reply
  30. le petit cabinet de curiosites

    i’m so happy for them . I would have loved to spend one entire year in Mexico City . I may go there this summer , will she be still there ?
    Bisous

    Reply
  31. Elaine L.

    Corey, I live in Southern CA. I would definitely be concerned about Chelsea going to Mexico. The country if falling apart. You can’t trust the police or the military.
    ~elaine

    Reply

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