Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

1988 to Today

Yann and corey 1988

 

A few days ago it was brought to my attention that I have lived longer with French Husband than without him. 

Over twenty nine years. When I realized I had lived longer in France than I had in the States the history of time struck me. When the French ask me, "Where are you from?" it is odd to say I am from the States when I have lived longer here. When asked that question, I say I am from California. When they ask, "How long have you lived in France?" Thirty years seems like a lifetime doesn't it? Add to that I have lived longer with French Husband than without him it seems I have became an alien in a foreign land called home.

Sting's song plays in my mind:

"…Be yourself no matter what they say

oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien…"

Comments

12 responses to “1988 to Today”

  1. Kathie B

    Have you counted up how many weeks you’ve spent in California in the past 29 years? I’ve spent more than a year there since moving East (primarily while my parents were still alive)!

    Reply
  2. Diogenes

    Time moves more slowly when we are growing up, I think, so California probably does seem like home always.
    I’m sure your French is getting very good, maybe accent free? I bet you know the French word for every item that can be found at a brocante, lol.

    Reply
  3. Looking forward to August 15th

    Happy anniversary dears! Allowing myself to think of you every day now that IT’s close.

    Reply
  4. Patti

    Congratulations! Twenty-nine is an accomplishment. We are up to 44 and still joyfully counting! I was thinking about this the other day. I have now lived in two places longer than my original hometown. Funny how time goes so quickly as we live our lives. I have come to love all three of my “home” towns! Each one is very different that the others.

    Reply
  5. Marilyn

    Best wishes for many more years as an alien in your home wherever that might be.

    Reply
  6. Jacklynn Lantry

    “…An alien in a foreign land called home…” Brilliant sentence. Brilliant thought.

    Reply
  7. Dd

    You write so well, Corey, and you’ve had such an interesting life, I’m sure there’s a memoir in there somewhere!

    Reply
  8. Kristin

    Joyeux Anniversaire, Yann et Corey. Peut-être que vous avez beaucoup plus d’années merveilleuses d’aventure ensemble.

    Reply
  9. Tongue in Cheek

    I know I have gone home every year, except twice, plus sometimes going twice a year, and twice I stayed for months… I would guess around three years or more.

    Reply
  10. Tongue in Cheek

    Brocante wise, impeccable. Otherwise so-so. My accent is my patina, can’t shake it.

    Reply
  11. Tongue in Cheek

    Very close!!! I cannot wait!

    Reply
  12. Jan D-M

    We are coming up on 24 years in Indiana, something so hard for this die-hard New Englander to believe. Even though I’ve lived in Indiana longer than anywhere else, I still consider Maine to be my home. When someone asks me where I’m from, I always say, “I live in Indiana, but I am originally from Maine.” Can’t help it.

    Reply

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