Silent Song

                                 

I am spoiled. I have a good life. I have a family who loves me, food to eat, a roof over my head. I am healthy and in no pain. I have running water, more than enough to water the flowers in my garden. I am safe, bombs are not falling from the sky. Decisions are easy- what should I make for dinner? Do you want me to take that to the post office? Would you like sugar in your tea?

 

When I had ovarian cancer, I was still spoiled, I lived. There was medicine readily available. I had a soft bed, a toilet to throw up in and someone to hold my hand. I had more prayers offered for me than all the prayers ever said at Notre Dame. My daughter who was three at the time told me, "there are angels dancing above your head" I had faith to believe her.

 

The hardest question to answer: Why me? Why am I generously spoiled while most of the world suffers beyond belief. The biggest challenge is to remember to live the gift of my life, every day as lovingly as possible. Is that too hard to do? To pick up my harp, and play knowing others cannot.

 

 



Comments

22 responses to “Silent Song”

  1. No, it is not too hard to do.
    And it is the right thing to do.
    I paraphrase Joseph Campbell… “Go joyfully, amid the sorrows of the world.”
    Gentle hugs,
    Mari-Nanci

  2. I have the same question. It installed in me anytime I complained etc there were people in the worl who’d love to have my minor senseless complaint. BTW I love your new blog name and banner.

  3. Grateful for a toilet to throw up in. Typical Corey to, in the midst of something yucky, be grateful for something. We all should have that attitude.
    Thank you for continuing to inspire me to improve my outlook on life and be less anxious, to appreciate the little things in life and to smile and lighten up. Bisous!

  4. We are most fortunate. At times life is hard, but we are indeed the lucky ones. I love that Chelsea saw angels above your head.

  5. This puts a little perspective on the grumbling I’ve been mumbling to myself about my job lately; so much I should be grateful for.
    I would love to be there with you, but that is not what was in His plan for me. So live it all to the depth and height and breadth and share it with us through this lovely new blog home, Corey. I enjoyed watching the Cassis fireworks on your IG just now. I love the every day life photos and videos you share there and find myself rewatching the ones you save (can’t tell you how many times I’ve looked at Chelsea’s wedding from Facebook–Such a beautiful day through and through).
    Sending love and appreciation for your kindness and perspective.

  6. Exquisite, as usual. Thanks for sharing your gifts, Corey!

  7. Marilyn M

    Wonderful. So glad you survived. You bring joy to us all, and always look for deeper meaning and purpose. Thank you.

  8. Exactly, to bring all of us joy….thank YOU..
    Ali

  9. I wish you could be here too xxx

  10. This speaks to my heart, especially today. Thank you for putting it so eloquently.

  11. Leonie Buchanan

    To be thankful & grateful for what we have, to live your life giving, expressing love & generosity of your time & what you can give, giving kindness to your fellow man is what Jesus taught us.
    I have not had cancer or been very ill but in times when I have needed help I have received prayers & love & came through troubled times.
    ‘In giving is when you receive’.
    I love the words from Joseph Campbell & they struck a chord with me.
    Corey you inspire & show such love in your writings that I am so thankful to be able to read your love shining through each day of the year & so blessed I stumbled on your blog. Thankyou for sharing your thoughts, family & France to me. Virtually every day I check my emails at 4pm as that is the time I see your name in my inbox. 😚🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️🙏🙏🙏

  12. AMEN to that.
    It’s what I say to myself every single day – a lot to be thankful for.

  13. TEXAS francophile

    Thank you for the generosity of your time. Sharing your life with us takes time and i appreciate that. Thank you my invisible friend!

  14. It breaks my heart to think about the huge number of people in our world who don’t even have the most basic human rights:
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Declaration_of_Human_Rights
    And here in the US lately, some extreme political groups have been trying to promote the idea that literacy isn’t a human right, although at least they’re getting some push-back.
    “Do children have a right to literacy? Attorneys are testing that question”:
    https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/do-children-have-a-right-to-literacy-attorneys-are-testing-that-question/2018/08/13/926d0016-9042-11e8-8322-b5482bf5e0f5_story.html
    I can’t imagine how these lawyers can sleep at night, or look at themselves in the mirror. And just think, without literacy Corey’s blog wouldn’t exist.

  15. You are such an inspiration. You let love shine through all that you do. I too, look forward to your blog every day. Thank you for taking the time to encourage and lift us up. Hugs to you.xx

  16. Molly Murray

    Beautiful post my friend🙏🙏🧡

  17. Speaking of songs: RIP, Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul/

  18. a most beautiful post, dear Corey. How your words and photos bring serenity, peace and a true appreciation for family, friends and community to my desktop and into my heart now since first I found you over 1o years ago. Thank you, thank you.

  19. I, too, am especially grateful – just to be here, after surviving emergency surgery last fall and severe critical illness. After a second surgery a couple of months ago, I am nearly up to speed and “normal!” I’ve gone through my share, as so many have, but have never been anything but privileged in many ways. After this experience, every day is a true gift … one that it is too easily lost in the shuffle. Your beautiful post brought me back to what can only be called renewed consciousness. I can rant, rail, marvel at the utter decline we are currently suffering as a nation and in the world … and I can vote. But I feel compelled to figure out what more I can do … and reading your words today was inspiring. Not to say that I don’t still also want to come to France and live at the brocantes and foires and be immersed in the Frenchness of it all! And maybe give you a great big hug! Thank you, Corey … with love.

  20. I needed to hear that today. Thank you!
    xoxo
    By the way, I love the new look. Well done.

  21. renee mcLeod

    well said Corey—seems so easy to forget each day is a gift. And there is so much suffering in the world — eady to forget that too! Let’s each do something edpecially nice for someone today and tell someone we don’t tell often enough that we love them!

  22. I feel the same every day, I am a 23 year ovarian cancer survivor, felt the gratitude and blessings then, too. I could tell you the multitudes of miracles then. I try to live by doing good and being good. Thank you for the reminder.

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