Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

The Ball of Knots

Ballofknots

Photo: An antique ball of rug string. Pieces of string tied together rolled around and around forming an uneven ball of knots.

The pain of seeing someone suffer. To see their life unravel, giving way to dark secrets that do not let go, but hang on and strangle their energy.

The dark night of the soul. The agony of standing by their side, wanting to untangle their heart, wanting to be a guiding source that will lead them to healing, wholeness, to an untwisted path that is smooth, even and free. Though knowing they must find the courage to unwind, to look at the loose ends, to venture towards the broken thread and learn how to untie the knots that bind them.

The ball of knots,

one knot after another,

the long journey to the center,

Keeping my hands open that they may hold on and find their way safely.

Comments

32 responses to “The Ball of Knots”

  1. Nancy W.

    And we pray.

    Reply
  2. Meg Mitchell

    Beautiful and thoughtful post.

    Reply
  3. jend’isère

    “Au fil de temps” or as time goes by. Life is a thread which continues with tangles and knots along the way/

    Reply
  4. Linda P.

    Someone in my life must also untangle that ball of knots. My thoughts and prayers extend to your friend and all who care about him as well as to my loved one.

    Reply
  5. Karen O

    another who is praying for your friend (and you two who love him)

    Reply
  6. Leslie Garcia

    Thinking of you and sending good thoughts and heartfelt prayers. Your friend is in loving hands with you, your husband and family. Look how far he has come! Thank you for sharing this dear Corey~ your words are so powerful and poetic as always. You help so many!
    Love,
    Leslie

    Reply
  7. LauraInSeattle

    May you be strong as well as open and receiving. Remember that you cannot care for another unless you care for yourself. Blessings in your home as you live through another’s tortuous road to health.

    Reply
  8. Marilyn

    Holding you in the palm of my hands uplifted in prayer.

    Reply
  9. kim

    Ohhhh. I know. I know.
    I don’t know who said it but I often think of the quote, “we all live in a house of fire.”

    Reply
  10. Brenda L. from TN.

    So sad…I will continue to pray for him and you and Yann as well. He is so blessed to have two wonderful friends whose love and great friendship will support and give him the strenght to carry on…God bless you both for opening your hearts and home to him…

    Reply
  11. Kit

    Sending love and positive energy to you all.

    Reply
  12. Kathie B

    The goal is to turn those blocking knots into smoothly running splices.
    We hope the doctors are able to find the right medications and calculate the correct dosages necessary to restore, within a narrow range, the emotional equilibrium that many take for granted.

    Reply
  13. g

    it is hard to admit but I and maybe each of us has that ball of knotted string-some just know and have the tools to untangle it better than others –then skills to re-roll it into another ball which as another commenter said with smooth splices-as you know none have left my prayers-in thought or deed- and so may the gifts of the HOLY SPIRIT be abundantly available to all of you and may the continued slow but steady pace see clear to each new day stronger more centered healthier and independent….peace to your household and all who enter and exit it daily!

    Reply
  14. Carol

    Dearest Corey, I’m joining my hands and heart with others today who are in prayer for all who abide in your home.
    May God do his work of healing and bless and give you and Yann an abundant supply of energy and courage as you minister to your friend.
    Such a profound analogy you’ve made with your ball of string. As always, I am amazed by your thoughts and perceptions!
    I recently found this quote from A.A. Milne that has touched me. Perhaps you’ll find it helpful and worthwhile sharing with others sometime too. “You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”

    Reply
  15. jody

    and so it was said “Lazarus come forth”.
    i heard a great radio program on this. and though God wants to heal us, raise up the part of us dying and dead, and though he has all power, we have to let the binding be unbound.
    you my friend, are one on the outside, you my friend can touch and help unravel the cloth, you my friend have the love. you my friend have opened the door. May God bless you mightily!
    I am not sure of the date, but you can hear past programs. source-Moody Radio, Midday Connection, author Joanna Weaver, her book is called ” Lazarus Awakening”. i bought it, but the program conveyed much more. God bless you and your family for allowing God to work in you to untie those knots. and remember, your friend has walked through the door, allowing your touch. the first step. Thank God! xoxo jody

    Reply
  16. Tracy

    Corey when I wake up at night and pray, I will include your friend Thierry.

    Reply
  17. Nicol

    untangling knots is always easier in unison rather than alone. thinking of you and sending xo xo’s N

    Reply
  18. Jeannie

    I think of the handcrafts like knitting, crochet, macrame, rug hooking, etc., all are based on knot making. Perhaps untangling the knots could be changed to creating more knots to create a new whole. My hands hold the threads to create a new cloth and as I tie knots and stitch stitches, I will use them as a rosary in prayers for your friend. xo

    Reply
  19. Rhonda

    Sending angel’s winged prayers – as we all wrap our arms around you. May you find comfort in knowing how much we care. xo Rhonda

    Reply
  20. monika

    Thinking of Thierry, and hoping that something helps the pain, brings healing. It is a cruel disease, but he is fortunate to have the love of such two good friends.

    Reply
  21. 24/7 in France

    To everyone who has tangles and knots in life, may we find our way in unraveling them or retying them – lovely post.

    Reply
  22. Heather in SF

    Very moving words. Sending positive thoughts your way.

    Reply
  23. Judi

    I’m sorry, Corey. So many people are pulling for your friend. Surely that may help. Sending light and love.

    Reply
  24. Natalie Thiele

    Sening good thoughts your way. Hoping there is light at the end of the tunnel.

    Reply
  25. Isabel

    Dear Madame Corey and Monsieur Yann, I hope it is ok with you, I will say prayers for all of you,including Monsieur Thierry of course, and with all the prayers coming like sweet rainbows to you, I trust that all will be well, and more well, and more well. Thank you for all of your wonderful posts which always have made me feel so happy. Best Wishes to all.

    Reply
  26. JudyO

    May your dear friend find peace. Sending prayers and strength to him and you and Yann as you go through this most difficult time.

    Reply
  27. Peggy Braswell

    What a beautiful analogy + arms around you + FH + your friend as you go through this time. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

    Reply
  28. KAMFreeman

    Corey – to you and Yann – may there always be that strength of faith and spirit of compassion to wrap around your friend, Thierry, in the days ahead as those knots find ways of becoming less a painful pressure and the smooth spots get ever longer. The treasure of your loving, kind and deeply heartfelt support as he walks slowly back into light and grows ever stronger on the journey. Prayers from my heart fly across the globe daily to you all. Thank you for allowing my heart to feel the struggles and offer my support with healing prayers. Kristin

    Reply
  29. Patti Lloyd

    I join with all the dear people who have discovered the beauty you share every day with your commitment to this post. I know you have unbridled strength, bolstered by your husband, family, and all of us here. Grasp onto that whenever you stumble. Nourish yourself above all else, and repeat the serenity prayer. God grant you the serenity to change the things you can, accept the things you can’t, and the wisdom to know the difference. Bless you.

    Reply
  30. momof5

    thinking of you….

    Reply
  31. Elaine L.

    Anyone would be Blessed to have you and Yann to help them untangle their knots. You both have been blessed with loving grace. All My Best to Your Friend, Thierry.
    ~elaine

    Reply
  32. Rebecca from the pacific northwest

    I’ve been gone from you for a little while, and am catching up now. Sending love and blessings as you walk beside your friend. May he untangle. (I also saw the week-later post that he’s moved.)

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Privacy Policy - Terms and Conditions