Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

How I Met Annie

living in France

France celebrates the end of World War II on the 8th of May.

Over twenty years ago, when we first arrived in the French village where we live, an elderly woman came to our door. She introduced herself as Annie and said to me:

"When the Americans liberated us years ago, I never knew any of them to say thank you. I heard you are an American, and since you are the only American I have ever met, I want to say thank you to you for your country's helping us."

Annie's home was up the hill from where we lived; she walked past our house daily as she went on her daily walk. If we were in the garden, she would stop and say hello. 

When my Mother and Father came to visit, and after several wonderful weeks, they prepared to leave, I was sad. I didn't want them to go, I knew they couldn't stay, and the reality of having my heart in two places stung. Knowing Annie lived down the road, my mother could see a friendship blooming and nudged me, "Be kind to Annie; show her what a good friend you can be. You will see us by your side whenever you help her or show her friendship. Whatever you do for Annie, you do it towards us too."

It was the most loving advice to give; I knew that in loving Annie, I was also loving my Mother and Father; in doing that, the gap between California and home felt smaller.

 (The photo was of Annie's hand when we went to Lourdes.)

Comments

60 responses to “How I Met Annie”

  1. g

    tears cannot even read entire post in one sitting….

    Reply
  2. Vicki

    What a beautiful story. And what a wise mother.

    Reply
  3. Kathie

    You and Annie have been so fortunate to have found one another and be friends for your entire time there. But because of — or in spite of — that, you will miss her terribly.

    Reply
  4. Diane Belforte Lewis

    Wonderful of Annie and wonderful of your parents.

    Reply
  5. Bev S.

    I’ve been praying for you Corey. I was wondering if today was Annie’s funeral. You haven’t written anything but I have just gotten the sense (I could be very wrong).
    I always hold on to the fact that we will see our loved ones again in a perfect setting. Thanks be to God for the gift of eternal life.

    Reply
  6. Shelley Noble

    Terribly touching tale of each and all of you, Annie, you, and your dear mother. Just wow.

    Reply
  7. Tracey

    I hate that feeling when you read and your eyes sting with tears and there are no words I can say….pain is universal I guess…we can all recognize each other’s.
    Anyways, I just wrote this to aknolwedge, that I see your words and feel the emotion behind them.
    Hugs.

    Reply
  8. Star

    What a beautiful friendship you have created over these years. Keeping all of you close in prayer.

    Reply
  9. isabel

    May God bless and keep Annie and you, Corey. I have to say, who could read about Annie, as I have over the years, and not love her? Even as a stranger, that love between you and Annie has lit up my life too. Thank you both.

    Reply
  10. suzanna

    Hi Corey, been awhile…..so sweet this story and so true….that is very comforting indeed…..I have missed a lot……time to catch up! hugs xoxo

    Reply
  11. Julie Loeschke

    God bless you and God bless your Annie.Always.

    Reply
  12. Diogenes

    Corey, your warm stories make me wish that Annie was my neighbor too, so I could pop over for some rose jam, stuffed grape leaves and a lifetime of memories.
    She certainly picked the right door to knock on and say thank you.

    Reply
  13. Kirsten

    I am reminded, once again, by the generosity of spirit of these very amazing women, yourself included, that you have introduced us to. As always, thank you.

    Reply
  14. Marilyn

    Your mother is a wise woman to nudge you toward Annie.
    How dear Annie became to you and we each here on your blog think dearly of Annie.

    Reply
  15. Wonky73

    I look at that hand. I see the age and the lines and the wrinkles and I think, what a beautiful hand. It’s a hand that has lived. Think of all that hand has caressed, held, reached out for. I hope some day my hand could be that magnificent.

    Reply
  16. Nancy

    What a beautiful story. And what amazing women. Lifting you all up in prayer.

    Reply
  17. martina

    Bless her, and bless you and your family too.

    Reply
  18. g

    better than I could ever say-

    Reply
  19. Debra

    A wonderful & powerful share – how blessed are you to have Annie & your mom. Thank you for sharing both of them with us.

    Reply
  20. dee

    What the heart once owned and had, it shall never lose.
    You will have so many wonderful memories. Corey.

    Reply
  21. Al from Chicago

    Thank you for sharing Annie with us.

    Reply
  22. Debbie

    What a beautiful start to a beautiful friendship. Sending positive thoughts and best wishes to both you and Annie. Corey, you are definitely part of a very special and loving family.

    Reply
  23. Susan

    Beautiful. I love everything about this post.

    Reply
  24. Terri In Texas

    How wonderful that God puts certain people in our lives for a reason. He put Annie in your life and you in her life. How fortunate for you both. Sending love and prayers.

    Reply
  25. Chico Sue

    Corey, you are truly blest to have these wise, loving women in your life, and it seems you are following their example.

    Reply
  26. Sher Sutherland

    Absolutely beautiful. Such a testimony to wisdom and love and family.

    Reply
  27. Natalie Thiele

    What a sweet gesture, to seek you out and thank you for what your country did for France long before you were born. Your mother was wise to encourage the friendship, but you are your mother’s daughter, you would have sought Annie’s friendship anyway. A very wonderful relationship it has been.

    Reply
  28. Jan wasmann

    Dear Corey, thank you for including us in your journey and friendship with Annie. Your love inspires us all to be a better friend and neighbor. My thoughts are with you.

    Reply
  29. joanny

    “It takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, and a day to love them, but it takes an entire lifetime to forget them.”
    Annie’s grateful heart opened the door to other loving and grateful hearts.

    Reply
  30. joanny

    It takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, and a day to love them, but it takes an entire lifetime to forget them.
    Annie’s grateful heart opened the door for another grateful heart in a need to share love and friendship.

    Reply
  31. Kathleen

    Tears flowing,wasn’t sure if dear Annie had to go into a nursing home or unfotunately had passed away,it seems the latter,my condolences to you all on her loss,I loved when you mentioned her or when a photo appeared of her on your blog,may her soul rest in peace.

    Reply
  32. Jody

    Corey,
    This post made me tear up. You were blessed with wonderful parents and in turn you have been a blessing to Annie…and to so many others you’ve never met. Thinking of you and praying for Annie’s family and yours.

    Reply
  33. Jahdevos

    Such wise and loving words from your mom and dad. And they, and you, and Annie, and all of your readers have been blessed and inspired. Thank you, Corey.

    Reply
  34. Robin

    My heart goes out to you at this time, Corey. There’s so much wrapped up in your love for Annie, your Dad, your Mom. I can feel how hard all this is for you and want you to know I’m keeping you close to my heart. I continue to pray.

    Reply
  35. Kate

    beautiful

    Reply
  36. Kristin

    Tears flowing – it is a challenge to write…after reading a beautiful story that opens wide the door to seeing the heart of your family and how that heart embraced a friendship with Annie that brought blessing after blessing to you both and to your families as they witnessed this deep, loving, caring relationship. A beautiful story, beautiful lives. Thanks you for continuing to share so very much with all of us, your readers, your friends.

    Reply
  37. Pam Norwood

    Oh….make me cry so early in the morning. God sends us special Angels just at the right times in our lives. He sent you both to each other. Praying for you sweet lady.

    Reply
  38. Judy

    sending love and prayers

    Reply
  39. Ardi

    Dear Corey,
    Telling us how Annie approached you when you first moved to your village – a dear, sweet remembrance. And that lovely hand and all the years of her helping you learn and love and be a good friend. I love your parents’ comments to you – reminded me of a Bible verse – “do unto others for then you have done unto me” (paraphrased). Annie was a precious friend to you, inadvertantly a friend to all of us who enjoy and feel cozy and warm reading your daily blog. May she rest in peace knowing that she lives on in our hearts.

    Reply
  40. Linda P.

    Wherever Annie is, whatever her situation, I hope she still feels the love of so many encompassing her. I so respect your attempts to honor the feelings of her relatives.

    Reply
  41. kathie

    Thank you for reminding us to reach out to others and learn their story.

    Reply
  42. Beverly

    How beautiful….brings tears. Thank you for sharing. A very wise mother you have. Annie sounds very special and so wise too. You are blessed. It is hard losing someone we love so much to share our time on earth, although we know they are going to a beautiful place. Oh a prayer for more people to love like this.
    Going through similar in my life now ….is hard. Love and prayers to you Corey.

    Reply
  43. Sharon Penney-Morrison

    Oh, the stories you have gleaned from this wise, precious woman, will forever be in my heart. When you speak of her, it makes me think of my Grandmother and miss her even more.
    My thoughts are with you and everyone who knew and loved Annie. May her journey be filled with love.
    (((Corey)))

    Reply
  44. Angela Vular

    Such a beautiful beginning to a lifelong friendship! There are really no words. You both are blessings to each other…..that is such a special gift…that most people may never experience. Thank you for sharing. May God bless you & Annie.

    Reply
  45. Toni

    I hope that the knowledge of having a good thing and not having missed the opportunity to know Annie soothes you and eases the pain of your loss.

    Reply
  46. Marilyn

    What a wonderful blessing to have loving friends and family. It is so heart breaking to loose them but we are so lucky to have known them.

    Reply
  47. mimi

    Thoughts and prayers to all of you as Annie journeys home.

    Reply
  48. Liz

    I hope the poem extract below is appropriate. I have been searching for it since your post with the ship picture. I don’t know where it comes from, but I love it ::
    “She’s there
    somewhere
    the ferryman
    assures me
    He tells me
    She was reluctant to go
    but silent –
    stood in the prow
    no tears
    and never looked back.”
    Sending love and gratitude for all your wise words and stories. xx

    Reply
  49. Dawn Seeman

    Simply Beautiful Corey! God’s blessings to you and Annie.

    Reply
  50. Rhonda

    Your mother knew. How beautiful. I pray all is well.

    Reply
  51. Rebecca from the pacific northwest

    Now we all would cherish you re-posting all the Annie Stories from over the years.

    Reply
  52. carol

    What a wise and loving mother you have. You and Annie are in my thoughts and prayers. God’s peace to you both.

    Reply
  53. Liane

    To all of us and especially to you, dear Corey, give each other a close hug if in America, and many cheek kisses if in France. My heart aches, but is full. Take. Care everyone…your words are precious.

    Reply
  54. Bonnie Gale

    A beautiful eulogy for a dear friend. You tell of threee wise women with very tender hearts and the wisdom to teach only love, for love is what we are.

    Reply
  55. jackie

    Amazing wisdom, lovely sentiment, mother to daughter, friend to friend. Again, thank you…

    Reply
  56. jackie

    Poem by K. Stead

    Reply
  57. Tami

    Thank you so much Corey for sharing your beautiful friendship with Annie with us readers. I’m glad that you both found each other and that your mother was so wise to point this out. Reflect on all these happy memories.

    Reply
  58. Michael

    Dear Corey,
    You will always have the blessing of dear Annie, and because of your kindness friends all over the world
    will have Annie too. When you miss her, just look up.

    Reply
  59. Brenda Locklear

    Your Mom is a wise and wonderful person.She asks you to keep the commandant that Jesus gave us to “love others as you love me”. I can think of no other sweeter words.

    Reply
  60. labergerebasque

    Your mother is an angel filled with love for you and your family. What wise and wonderful words.

    Reply

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