Goodbye Homeland

The buttes

Goodbye Homeland,

Bittersweet goodbye.

Good bye Buttes outside my childhood bedroom window.

Goodbye golden days, harvested fields, amber leaves, 

geese that fly by…

 

Home kitchen

Good bye Mom and her kitchen of home made goodness.

Chocolate chip cookies, sweet bread and early morning waffles.

Good bye warm embrace.

 

Boys and a dog

Good bye little boys.

Who play, and play and play.

Rough and tumble growing friendship.

Amaro blood.

 

Walk about

Goodbye walks in the field.

Brother's humor, laughter, cold beer, girls with long hair, days that fly bye.

 

Sweet friendship

Goodbye Erika, sweet dearest friend of thirty some years.

Goodbye friends Alisa, Shelley, Eric, my Aunts, cousins and my dear Godmother,

and new friends who came to visit (Jamie, Shelley N. Diogenes, Kaari, Elizabeth, Christine, Patrice, Cheryl, Kim…

 

Tree

Good bye pomegranate tree,

walnut orchards,

jam making,

bread and butter,

golden days of Autumn.

 

Family 2012

Goodbye family.

 

 

 



Comments

31 responses to “Goodbye Homeland”

  1. It’s always bittersweet to say goodbye to family, when you are returning to family. The heart tugs both ways, doesn’t it? But think of the blessing: double the love. Deep roots there in California make it possible for you to bloom where-ever you are. That’s what I think.

  2. Have a safe trip back.

  3. You never really leave them. You take the everywhere you go. Thanks for sharing your family for the holidays though.

  4. truly bittersweet-made me fill up-bittersweet-

  5. Corey, have a great trip back. As always, beautiful photos, here your golden autumn up north. Your pomegranate trees are amazing…the ones near us have fruit ripening about 1/3 that size.

  6. Corey,
    Just loved, loved, loved all the posts, and am so happy you were reunited with your family in your homeland. Wishing you more sweet reunions with all your loved ones.
    Not sure when you are flying out of SFO –
    If you need a ride there I am free tomorrow – Sunday.
    Best-

  7. LauraInSeattle

    My heart aches for you as you fly back to one family, leaving the other behind. Bittersweet moments.

  8. The price for living abroad is higher than we know. Beautiful photos and prose!

  9. Oh sweetheart, I know how very much heartbroken you are – and yet, you’ve got a great deal with FH and your children AND the possibility to visit your ‘home’ again soon… 🙂
    It’s the eternal story of all people uprooted in one way or another. and it’s not gonna change…
    But as I often said: WE’re the lucky ones because we take the love and good things from TWO countries/continents/worlds and can share them! Bless you

  10. Thinking of you….

  11. My eyes teared up as it remimds me of when I say goodbye to my mother (neighboring state). Any goodbye is almost too much anymore and I cry all the way to the airport. I remind myself, be strong, think of the good times, but the tears just roll. Thankful for the times we can spend with family – it’s a blessing.

  12. The last photo was terrific! Have a safe trip back to France.
    Your mother’s kitchen should be in a magazine. Does she collect small whisk brooms?

  13. Travel well, our beloved friend. Thank goodness we can still visit through the airs.

  14. Boa viagem!
    P.S. After my mother died, it got harder to say “Goodbye” to my father every time I went to California.

  15. Corey, incredible memories; safe travels to you. I will be thinking of you guys. xo

  16. Safe journey to your home and children in France; thank you for sharing your Calif. visit with us!

  17. georgeanne

    Yes she does!

  18. My mother’s trees are more than twenty years old.

  19. So sad for you Corey! I’m crying right along with you and this post. Always sad to leave our families and loved ones….but what great memories you now have of this wonderful homecoming and Thanksgiving! Your mother is darling and what a lovely group picture.
    Safe travels!

  20. Barbara Snow

    At least you get to take that sweet French Husband back with you. Safe journey.
    Barb in Minnesota

  21. Er, every time I left California after visiting my dad there.

  22. Sadness! Travel home and be delighted with the return.

  23. Home is where the heart is….how wonderful to share your loving heart in two homelands….
    Safe travels…Bon Voyage!

  24. Living abroad and being so far away from family is difficult and saying goodbye, until the next visit, is painful for me too. Knowing I can stay in touch through Skype helps to ease the pain. Bon voyage!

  25. Corey,
    This post left me teary eyed. It’s so hard live far from family and I always find the parting bittersweet. Have a safe trip!

  26. GOOD~BYE TO YOU!LOVELY MEETING YOU AND YOUR MOM!STILL HARD TO BELIEVE THE CONNECTIONS YOU AND CHERYL HAD!ABSOLUTELY,LOVED THAT!

  27. Nadine Wong

    What a beautiful tribute of farewell to your homeland, family and friends. Travel safe… your cozy home is awaiting your return. I am so sorry we missed each other by minutes. (((hugs to you)))

  28. Beautiful shot of your family. Thanks for sharing all of it.

  29. x
    arohanui
    you are loved
    and lovely

  30. Rebecca from the pacific northwest

    The wisk brooms in your mother’s kitchen window!!! I love that. (Even though somewhat off topic with this.)
    Wonderful family photo.

  31. Hi Rebecca
    I love them too! I want to take them with me every time I leave.
    c

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