Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

Chelsea on the Steps

On the steps

 

This morning before heading back to Paris, Chelsea was sitting on the steps.

Rubbing my eyes I saw my daughter as she is a woman.

Tears swallowed. Echoing in my mind words often said by parents,

"Where did the time go?"

An interior smile came upon me, as I noted Chelsea sitting on the halfway step. Symbolism speaks in ways that words cannot. "Hey little girl," She turned around, "Now that you are at this step can I start imagining your wedding day?" Giggling she nodded, "Why not." Oh another sweet chapter to look forward to: Dreams of love. There isn't a date, or ring, or anything that concrete, but dreams can be felt stirring. Such pleasure fills my ache of childhood gone.

 

Stuffed grapefruit

 

Mr. Espresso's (Chelsea's boyfriend) mother is a wonderful cook. Yesterday she had us over for lunch. We sat on the terrace. For the first course she served stuffed grapefruit. Fresh, full of flavor, delicious! The grapefruit skin was used as a bowl. She filled it with skinned sections of grapefruit, avocado, shrimp, coriander and chili.

 

I made tiramisu. 

 

Chelsea swinging

 

Chelsea when she was three years old.

Now she is twenty four.

 

 

Comments

24 responses to “Chelsea on the Steps”

  1. Karen C

    Is that your little dog, Corey? You’ve never mentioned owning a pet. Will Chelsea be a vintage bride like her mother? Love thinking about the future.
    We became very good friends with the parents of our son’s ex-girlfriend and family but that relationship is over and I’m not sure of the ‘etiquette’ now that he has a new (and equally lovely) girlfriend.

    Reply
  2. nancy w.

    Same smile then and now. Happy things to look forward to Mom.
    P.S. the statue on the stairs looks somewhat like a cocker spaniel.

    Reply
  3. Zosia

    A lovely photo and so very symbolic (as you said) of Chelsea. So much to look forward to for her and for the whole family.

    Reply
  4. Tongue in Cheek

    Hi Karen C
    Nope not a pet, not a dog… it is a statue of a lion.
    No need to feed.
    c

    Reply
  5. liz

    Are we to understand that there is a wedding on the horizon? If so, how incredibly, exciting, scary, blissful, but so full of promise. Chelsea has been shown a beautiful example of love and commitment, her parents.

    Reply
  6. Marilyn

    Sweet sentiments for your daughter.
    Oh the stuffed grapefruit looks absolutely delicious.
    How I would love a recipe, as it looks like there was a dressing of some kind.
    How exciting if a wedding would be in Chelsea’s near future.

    Reply
  7. Shelley Noble

    Blink Blink. There’s where the time went, Corey.
    Have fun with your lovely daughter. A whole new stage of life for everyone.
    With two master cooks in the family, at least you’ll all be eating very very well!

    Reply
  8. Paulita

    What fun to plan a wedding for this fabulous daughter. I look forward to the same privilege some day for my daughter — some day.

    Reply
  9. Kathie B

    Are Mom and Dad Espresso also pescatarians, like your family? If so, talk about compatibility! If not, at least they’re respectful of your decision — but either way, a good sign.

    Reply
  10. Debra

    That picture of Chelsea when she was three just melts my heart as I too wonder how my sweet Caroline turned 20 in December.

    Reply
  11. Linda S.

    Corey, one of your finest qualities is finding the silver lining in the cloud. You will have such fun helping to plan your daughter’s wedding. How exciting!
    I also enjoyed yesterday’s blog post. I’m hoping that sharing more personal pictures of your day to day life also means more pictures of your beautiful home. I first discovered your blog in Victoria magazine when you and your home were featured in the January/February 2008 issue. What a beautiful home you have! I’ve been following you ever since then. The article was called The Patina Of Time. So true! It left me both inspired and also wanting to see more pictures! I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

    Reply
  12. Ann

    Sounds encouraging if you are meeting the in-laws. When it comes to affairs of the heart, no one can really say anything but let it unfold naturally. However, will Chelsea have a French wedding then a Willow’s reception?

    Reply
  13. carol

    It sounds like you had a lovely time with Chelsea’s boyfriend’s parents. I well remember meeting my son’s girlfriend’s parents at their home for Sunday dinner. That girlfriend has now been our daughter-in-law for about seventeen years and we have always enjoyed her parents.

    Reply
  14. Karen C

    Oh, Corey. You lucky thing. I’ve always wanted a pet lion. (Tiger, actually)

    Reply
  15. Jeanne

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zi7OXmTmgGg&feature=kp
    This song is always touching
    Your postings are beautiful
    I love you the things you share.
    Love Jeanne

    Reply
  16. Dd

    Sounds like fun on the horizon! I can’t believe its warm enough to sit on the terrace!

    Reply
  17. JudyO

    A wedding on the horizon. How wonderful!!! The stuffed grapefruit looks delicious . What were the other courses served.

    Reply
  18. Linda

    Isn’t being a parent to an adult the most amazing thing? Being a mother has brought more depth and openness to love than anything I could have ever imagined. Enjoy the moments!

    Reply
  19. jody

    Such a sweet picture of Chelsea on the swing!xxoo jody/fl

    Reply
  20. Linda P.

    A lovely and bittersweet post.

    Reply
  21. Tessa~

    Oh happy, happy!
    I was right!
    Well, you did everything but put it in sky-writing, Hon.
    -happy sigh-
    A wedding to plan!
    Imagine that. -big smile-
    Mother of the Bride… Yet another step we will be privileged to take, *with* you.
    Gentle hugs,
    Tessa~

    Reply
  22. La Contessa

    A WEDDING……In the future……..HOW FUN IS THAT!
    OH, where did the time go…………..
    You are so lucky to do all the planning with her…….I have BOYS!I will not be included most likely…………thats probably BEST!
    I still have time………….
    To answer KAREN C above that is a stone lion!!!I thought it was a dog too at first!
    Am I right ??

    Reply
  23. Teresa Young

    Life is good

    Reply
  24. Rebecca from the pacific northwest

    I love the sexy curves of her waist and hips in that view of her on the stairs.
    And my oh my, I want to make that grapefruit-avocado salad! Looks just delicious.

    Reply

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