Jardin d’Amour

                              

in the battering winter, that cold to the heart feeling…a healing occurred. The kind that comes to people living side by side in a shared house. Where little by little the past vanishes, and the present moment is large enough to contain a whole life.

It was the kind of healing made from endless cups of hope.

Of changing decor-

Of music playing without dancing-

Of books picked up and put down after three pages-

Of short naps and long dreams-

Of deeply comfortable silences that grow between a man and a woman who know each other so utterly, they breathe each others breathe and need no words.

…That winter they grew together while the leafless plants in the garden were bound and motionless outside. They knew each other’s rhythms like clocks in a jeweler’s shop that chime at staggered midnights.

                              

Aux fleurs d’amour! In every garden there are plants that bloom quickly and the petals fall as fast. There are also plants that can have deep roots, seldom bloom and then in the coldest night of the year, a fragrant flower opens.

                              

             Marriage, it can take you to places you have never been before.

photos: A 19th French placard in my maison, that endured a fire, leaving the panels crackled.

ps Merci carol for helping me sort the seeds on this post.



Comments

41 responses to “Jardin d’Amour”

  1. I didn’t know that something burned could be so beautiful. Where do you display it?

  2. Sometimes a look is all it takes.
    Or we both think the same thing and express astonishment when we speak.
    A row can then produce spontanious laughter, for both of us.
    Hands held…….enough.
    Your words C. so perfect. Thankyou.

  3. A happy family
    A happy marriage
    is but an early Heaven.
    God bless you.
    Great as always.
    Love you
    Jeanne ^j^

  4. the panels are so lovely and strong looking with the delicate flower paintings. marriage can take you places you never dreamed of!

  5. Thank you! I looked at my husband of 45 years just a little bit differently this morning!

  6. Oh Corey, I really hope all of that can be true for me 🙂

  7. ah! so wonderfully written! i couldn’t agree more. thank you for the gift of your beautiful vision expressed in words and images. you are a treasure!

  8. This one took my breath away, Corey.
    Your words and images are stunning. So are the sentiments you express so beautifully.

  9. That is very beautiful.

  10. yes.. disasters do not ruin totally.. but leaves marks..
    I wish you.. best from my heart..

  11. Beautiful…

  12. Paris Parfait

    Amen! And lovely placard.

  13. I love when you show us your poetry…

  14. Beautiful. Thank you.

  15. You have a wonderful way with words. Your blog makes me smile each day.

  16. a beautiful healing picture of intimacy, Corey, merci!

  17. beautiful

  18. soooooooooooooooooooooo beautiful and interesting as well Corey, very.

  19. Corey, mine is just an echo of what’s been said, but this is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever read!!!

  20. Cousin Linda

    Corey, you astound me.

  21. …*sniff, sniff*…that one left me a little teary…

  22. Fragrance that haunts and keeps our souls alive – love.

  23. I can’t say more than the others here; this is so beautiful it leaves one without words.
    May favorite “Where little by little the past vanishes, and the present moment is large enough to contain a whole life.” *sigh*

  24. Thank you Corey I really needed this post. xxx

  25. Your words are beautiful, this story will go very well inside a Wedding proceedings booklet. I love the metaphors used in marriage and garden flowers, deeply touched.

  26. A true story.

  27. i felt every one of those words and sentiments. beautiful, touching…true.

  28. You have touched my heart in a very special way today Corey. I will bring your words and images with me. Thanks.

  29. Corey, this is so nice. The tips for a long life together? I think so. Sometimes we just need faith in that cold-blooming flower.
    oxox to you
    🙂

  30. Such a beautiful post. I love the crackled effect on the painting, so unfortunate it was caused by a fire.

  31. 29 years and counting for me…you captured it all perfectly dear Corey.
    XOXO

  32. Your very words are blooming flowers.

  33. what gorgeous evocative
    writing and reflections-
    such hope:)
    made me smile:)

  34. Oh, Corey. After thirty-three years, I know what you mean. Lives become so entertwined that you can’t see where one begins or the other ends, much like the gnarled, old vines that wrap and twist and become as one.

  35. Beautiful! But I’m still terrified. lol

  36. So touching and hopeful. I long for this…Nel

  37. Your words make me feel so good! you have that great power!

  38. The power of true love!
    Annabelle

  39. What joy you bring into my life, painting pictures with words and helping me to understand what I cannot put into words.

  40. such complexity and simplicity all at once. Such is marriage.

  41. What a beautiful post! Your French husband must love your writing, Corey. He must also feel very loved.

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