Au Revoir Alice

Alice in wonderland...Paris

 

Alice is leaving tomorrow. I am sad. After one month I have come to know someone who I feel I have loved since they day I met her mother.

I met Cheryl (Alice's mother) when I was Alice's age in New Mexico. We were both in a monastery together. Cheryl was from Australia.

Years later we both left the monastery, though we stayed in contact. I saw Cheryl when she was pregnant with Alice, and again when Alice was two… Like I said, I have loved Alice since I was her age.

 

 

The renaissance et la reve

 

The poster in Paris said:

"The renaissance and the dream."

So true. 

When I asked Chelsea and Alice to walk pass it in opposite directions they thought I was silly.

It seemed symbolic to me. Future and history. My daughter and Cheryl's daughter.

 

 

Fly away

All little birds do fly away from the nest they call home.

Cheryl's first little bird to leave is Alice.

Chelsea and Sacha have both flown from our nest.

Having Alice stay with us made me fluff the nest once more. I would love to keep her, hide her suitcase, rip her airline ticket…. Maybe Cheryl would have to come to France to take her daughter back? 

 

Two birds with one stone you might say.

 

Merrily

 

Not a row boat.

But a dream.

Merrily not today.

Gently down the stream.

 

Alway a good reason to come to Paris

 

I told Alice, "Come back sooner than later."

Oh I forgot to add… The brocante bug bit Alice hard!! I have never seen anyone to fall so fast and to pick up everything I love. It almost got to the point where she had to walk one way and I walked the other. We have the same brocante bug taste. Scary! 

Her suitcasesssssssssssssssssss are stuffed with old French things. Sigh.

 

Mad dash in paris

One last dash in Paris.

Photos opt city. 

In and out of the car, as fast as we could, just for the fun on it.

Pink scooter, Green fountain, in the fountain, at a cafe, by a balloon…

Off the beaten track moments. 

 

Jour et nuit

 

Jour et nuit.

Day and night.

One month of enjoyment. 

Such a lovely girl that Alice. Cheryl you lucky duck!

 

 

I left my heart in Paris

 

Alice left her heart in France and it turned Notre Dame pink.

I took a picture of it to prove it.

 

French connection

 

Au revoir Alice. Never forget you have a French connection, and part of your heart in France.

 

 



Comments

30 responses to “Au Revoir Alice”

  1. I have truly loved reading about your time with Alice. She seems a darling girl and I’m sure you will miss having her in your midst. Your photos have been a joy (and I think your idea of past/future was a good one!). Thank you for sharing Alice with us here 🙂

  2. Shelley Noble

    I think your photos are historic, Corey. When the daughters are one day mothers, and perhaps their children and children’s children friends, that photos of them crossing paths will be prescient.

  3. How lucky Alice has been to experience this French sojourn!!! No doubt she treasures your family’s generosity to her, especially in your time, caring and imagination.

  4. Beautiful girl. Beautiful story. Now it is absolutely time for Cheryl to visit you . No “ifs, ands, or buts” about it.

  5. Bonnie Oliver

    I too will miss Alice. Your photos & essays provide an introduction to a wonderful young lady. I enjoyed her visit. I will miss Alice.

  6. Oh, Corey – how wonderful! I’m sure this has been a life-changing experience for Alice; you’ve helped her make memories that she will no doubt cherish for a lifetime! You seem like the most amazing hostess, would you ever consider opening a B&B and doing tours? Sign me up!
    V.

  7. An incredible journey Alice had in your France. She will be back, I know it!!

  8. Absolutely loved every single Alice post! She is adorable, and I am sure being with you had to be an incredible amount of fun. Paris, the Alps, brocanting . . . OMGosh, memories for a lifetime.
    I have a bird who has left the next for her second year of college. Is it normal to miss her this much?

  9. Beautiful post, beautiful girl, love the last photo!

  10. Wonderful, gorgeous post. Absolutely beautiful Alice. I loved the final photo . . .

  11. I enjoyed Alice’s visit too. Happy travels to wherever she lands. She is gorgeous and I have a feeling she will make life happen in a very special way.

  12. donna@american soil.com

    Your posts never cease to move me….and sometimes to tears. Thank you for posting deeply from the heart…

  13. Alice, enjoyed reading about you and your trip. Will miss seeing your smiling, beautiful face!

  14. What a wonderful blessing it has been for you and all of us to have Alice with you for so many wonderful adventures. I’m sure she will look back on this time as perhaps life changing. After all, once the brocante bug bites, you are changed forever!!

  15. Rosemary Wilmot

    Wonderful, heart warming, life affirming posts re Alice’s fabulous trip. What memories you guys have made, just fantastic. You are a lovely person X

  16. There are no words to express the depth of my gratitude to you Corey (and Yann, Sacha and Chelsea) for the many gifts of love, care and generosity and the wonderful, fun filled adventures you have given Alice over the last MONTH !!! Indeed you are in her heart now forever more, as you are in mine.

  17. I have loved your posts featuring Alice too. Thank you so much for sharing her!

  18. YOU KNOW WHAT? Alice is a VERY lucky young woman to have met our corey…. what a testimonial of love from your heart to hers – not to forget your family who also very generously included Alice in the wide open circle of love…. Good bye, Alice, come back soon
    Beautiful photo assembly to show the ‘let go’ moments before she really, really leaves (for now!). This is heart-warming and beautiful.
    Kisses to all of you and safe trip to Alice
    Kiki

  19. sarah webb

    she is now one of yours too!! she is lucky and adorable…how i would love to stay a month in france…anywhere in france! she will never ever forget it**thank you for the wonderful photos!!! and thank you for sharing her with us!

  20. What a trip ALICE had!MEMORIES………GALORE!
    Good that you got to fluff the nest………one more time!
    You and your FRENCH husband are awesome tour guides I might add!
    How is the Paris apartment?Whats NEW there?Couch arrive?
    Perhaps, a post soon on that!!
    XX

  21. Alice may not know it, but she has mom substitutes all over the globe now.

  22. Ahhh Alice, you are the poster girl of youth with all it’s possibilites and adventures and connections to come. And to have the “French Connection”. . . ahhh to be young again! But youth can be carried in one’s heart forever, thanks for reminding me of that.

  23. Teddee Grace

    Oh, what fun you’ve had. You’ll all miss her so much. She’ll be back.

  24. I have so enjoyed reading your adventures with Alice and such a trip of a lifetime for her that she will always remember. You have a wonderful family Corey with such open hearts! xxoo

  25. What? Alice is leaving? Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.

  26. Now I’m waiting for Corey and Yann to visit Australia, and of course to blog about it so the rest of us can get vicarious enjoyment out of the experience!

  27. Now I’m waiting for Corey and Yann to visit Australia, and of course for Corey to blog about it so the rest of us can get vicarious enjoyment out of the experience!

  28. Leslie in Oregon

    Your posts about your adventures with Alice have been wonderful…they so vibrantly conveyed the energy, fun and love of your time together. You inspire me to work harder to get my many faraway friends, and/or their almost-adult children, to come for a long visit. You inspire me to try to be the kind of host you and your family were for Alice. It sounds like you all and she were made for each other, and you had a marvelous time together. Is Alice returning to her family home? What will she be up to?

  29. alice, please come back + no greater gift than photos! xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

  30. Rebecca from the pacific northwest

    When you get stumped for an idea for your blog sometime soon, give us an ALICE FASHION SHOW. I loved her outfits, especially all the cute little skirts and shoesies. I’d love to know how many items she actually brought with her as she looked so charming in every single photo.
    Lucky Alice, to get to be shown the inside of France by people who know and love it well.
    (I’ve been gone from your blog for a while due to excess business and odd life circumstances. Nice to be back!)

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