Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

Life’s Memories

1A83BBBE-7784-4839-B9AD-C4ECBDF8A655life's memories

 

(Photos of my Vavie Amaro with some of her 23 grandchildren

My brother Marty is standing by her side then and now)

 

life is one big full ride

with twists, turns, getting lost,

wild downhill rides

and some long straight boring roads.

 

Filled with every emotion often in the same day

silly things

how life continues when it feels like it isn't

one moment my brother dies, the next I am washing dishes, a friend calls I cry, then a 

a memory is shared and we laugh, I dry the dishes and go to bed.

wake up to my birthday.

 

Death comes and it doesn't seem real

 

a profound end

and life continues

 

but there it is and how it is

one full ride of everything all at once

 

Our days hold everything

and life simply challenges us to hang on

and live it

 

Hang on and live it 

My brother would want that.

To see us doing all those daily life things

L I V I N G 

 

Thank you for every message, email, FB message… the overwhelming amount of love

streaming in is such a beautiful gift thank you so much. God am I fortunate

to have such a community of brave beautiful clever loving friends that you are.

Thank you for holding my family and me during this long year.

 

 

 

Comments

25 responses to “Life’s Memories”

  1. jackie

    I think I can speak for most everyone when I say you are most welcome and thank you in return for bringing a diverse group of people from around the world together, through the vicissitudes, the ups, and the downs of life, in beauty and love. You are remarkable and we are grateful to be with you. Happy Birthday Corey.

    Reply
  2. Laurie SF

    You are a beacon of light….truly a beacon of light my friend. Close your eyes and feel my arms wrapped around you.

    Reply
  3. JeanneRenee

    Ces photographies sont tellement belles, pleines de poésie des instants passés; elles sont les reflets de vos paroles et votre écriture donne une autre vie à ceux bercés de la paix céleste.

    Reply
  4. g

    Jackie said it best I have thought of you and all whom you love non-stop life is ….. well all those things you said…. love that is a whole other facet – life and love – exhilarating and exhausting and everything in between-

    Reply
  5. Penni

    Amen to all above comments! Happy Birthday Friend, we all love you!

    Reply
  6. Judy at aportmanteau

    Happy Birthday, fellow Aquarian. Please accept my condolences for the going home of your brother Marty. I know you and your family will miss him very much. After many years, I still check in daily on your posts on IG. Wouldn’t miss seeing your great finds! I think I enjoy “the hunt” as much as you do.

    Reply
  7. Debra Paper

    Happy Birthday, Corey! I wanted to wish it earlier because of the time difference, but work got in the way. I just read the news of your brother and I am so very sorry for your loss. God bless him, you and your family. I lost my brother 15 months ago, one day he was here and healthy – the next day, gone . . .he had just turned 60, and my dear father had just passed three months before. It’s shocking, life is hard and full of joy at the same time, a roller coaster we are blessed to ride . . .your words sum it up perfectly and help process the pain. much love, d.

    Reply
  8. Kathie B

    I’m touched by how happy young Marty is in the top photo.

    Reply
  9. Sheri

    Even if the cost of love is grief, it is so, so worth it. Loving you. Loving your whole family.
    Sheri

    Reply
  10. Nicol Sayre

    My heart is with you , today and all days, for you, your brother and your family , for all you do for them and for all of us ,your extended family. Home in Peace Marty xo

    Reply
  11. Kristin Freeman

    The loss of a younger brother is a deep, rich, challenging journey. 2020 took one of my three younger brothers and each time I read about Marty, and particularly while you were back on the family homestead, my tears of sisterhood flowed freely as I so deeply felt your story, the tender pieces of being an older sister to a beloved younger brother. Candles are lit each day for Marty, his family, your mother and her wonderful extended family, and your family, Corey. My loving arms reach across the globe to give you a loving, caring hug.😢💖🙏🙏🙏💖😢

    Reply
  12. Kate

    Oh Corey…wishing you a birthday of love and tenderness from all of us your readers. Know that you and your family are being held by our prayers.
    Much love ❤️

    Reply
  13. Vicki

    So much emotion…..sending all my Angels to assist you and your Family, and wishing you B-Day blessings as you continue to carry on with the strength that we all admire.

    Reply
  14. Jennifer Phillipps

    Life is certainly full of every kind of twist and turn…..it seems that your brother had a rich life with a loving and all encompassing family around him all the way….it is hard to know what to say to you just now, I know when I lost my father and brother in law in the space of a couple of months a year or so ago it was hard to comprehend….but we do have to keep moving and always remember and treasure the times we had with them…
    Birthday wishes to you from across the sea in a warm and summery New Zealand…..xx Jennifer

    Reply
  15. Jeanne

    Blessings, love and prayers to you and your beautiful family.
    To die is to live in the hearts of those that loved us forever.
    Very touching sentiments from everyone. May the words, the love and the support bring you comfort
    during your time of grief.
    Love Jeanne

    Reply
  16. Corey

    Thank you for your messages they help as we navigate through
    loss and grief.
    Debra and Kristen I am sorry to learn that you are on this path too.
    I pray for holy guidance and courage to follow.

    Reply
  17. Stephanie M

    We celebrate you Corey ❤️ and the life of Marty. God speed.

    Reply
  18. Texasfrancophile

    Birthday wishes to you, Corey on this bittersweet day. You are so right about life going on. I shared those same feelings when my Daddy died. I felt like the world should have stopped. On the way home from the hospital i wanted people at the stoplight to be sad and perhaps even crying instead of jivin to the music on their radio. Beautiful memories of your lil brother, may they be so comforting.

    Reply
  19. Momof5

    “Hang on and live it” no truer words Corey. As I’ve aged I’ve come to realize I can hold joy and sorrow @ the same moment in time. As a child I didn’t know that. I wondered how people could be living their daily lives as if my profound sense of loss had never happened. Love, faith and grace will get your family through as it always has. Sending you big virtual hugs, Michelle

    Reply
  20. Cindy

    Sending love and hugs for your birthday, Corey. Also sending more love to you and your family for the loss of your dear brother. May you all be comforted by remembering the life that he lived. Love, Cindy

    Reply
  21. Linda Jensen

    Sending love and Birthday wishes to you as you move through all the emotions of losing a brother. Prayers to you and your entire family.

    Reply
  22. Ann of Avondale

    Hard to say “Happy” Birthday when your heart is full of grief. How can one feel happy and very sad at the same time? Only with God’s comforting grace can this happen. He takes our sorrow and shines his light on us. We feel the warm embrace of his love through our family, friends and even strangers who hold us up with kindness. I remember having to get on a airplane to be by my dad’s side before he passed. I couldn’t contain my sorrow as I waited to board the airplane. The stewardess was so kind and understanding and stayed with me until I boarded. Strangers all around me were giving me words of comfort. God gives us what we need to carry on. He showers us with his love. With loss of a loved one we are transformed, made stronger and better. With time we are back on track and life goes on with our daily tasks as we reminisce. Hugs on your Birthday, prayers for you and your family.

    Reply
  23. karen

    Corey, I AM SO SORRY FOR THE LOSS OF YOUR BROTHER. YOU ARE BRAVE AND STRONG and loved by so many. your family is special and yes, the full circle of life confirms our faith and hope and love. Hold tight, that grandson of yours, you are witness to endings and beginnings.

    Reply
  24. Jennifer

    I was looking at the pictures and when looking at Marty in the first two, Gabriel popped into my mind. I see a resemblance. Beautiful smile! Love you!

    Reply
  25. Nancy Cooper

    Corey,
    This is one of the most beautiful and profound things I’ve ever read. Contrasting the huge mystery of death, the emptiness and searing pain of grief with the banality of everyday life really captures what life is like after a loss. My husband of 41 years died 3 weeks ago of Covid. Sending continued love and prayers to you. I feel a connection.

    Reply

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