Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

The Rosary

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Last night we entered the church early and sat up front. The community came later and sat behind us. The feeling to sit in a large church, silently with others is one that creates my heart to feel connected to something beyond.

Though last night as my family and I sat upfront, I did not know who or if anyone was behind us. It was that quiet, that peaceful, a silent night….

When the priest started to say the rosary the response from behind was incredible. Like a tidal wave of love pouring over us, flooding our hearts, washing us of our sorrow, holding us up…

The beauty of living in a small town and witnessing the lives of many interconnected.

Last night I felt joy! I felt the love my father and mother have planted with years of devotion to their faith, their family, friends and community.

Thank you also blogging community for your tremendous support…

I will read the eulogy today. I have gathered courage and a big splash of support from your holding me up these last few months.

I am doubly lucky and it feels so good.

Comments

68 responses to “The Rosary”

  1. Di

    We will be thinking of you and your family today.

    Reply
  2. Marie-Noëlle

    I wish I were there behind you….
    Thinking of you all today.

    Reply
  3. TACE

    Sending supporting, warm thoughts and energy to you and your family.

    Reply
  4. Marie-Noëlle

    for you …
    “J’ai gardé ta main dans ma main
    Jusqu’à ce qu’elle soit vide de toi
    Tes yeux ouverts au fond des miens
    Jusqu’à les refermer sur moi
    J’ai senti avec ta chaleur
    S’envoler ton dernier soupir
    Et planer autour de mon cœur
    Avant de se laisser partir
    Toi qui m’as enseigné la vie
    As-tu voulu que je sois là
    Pour me montrer la mort aussi,
    Pour que j’aie tout appris de toi ?
    {Refrain:}
    Dors mon p’tit papa
    Dans le ciel dans mon sang
    Dans la lumière
    N’aie plus peur pour moi
    J’étais l’enfant, maintenant je suis le père
    Et toi en moi
    Même si je sais qu’ici-bas
    Je pourrai plus te dire “Papa”
    J’ai du mal à penser à toi
    Sans verser des larmes de pluie
    Mais ce sont des gouttes de joie
    Quand je sens ta vie dans ma vie,
    Que je me vois des cheveux blancs
    Des rides et tout ce qui s’ensuit
    Je sais que c’est moi maintenant
    Je sais que je m’en vais d’ici
    La mort m’a toujours fait souffrir
    Mais depuis la tienne, je crois
    Que je n’ai plus peur de mourir
    Puisque c’est aller où tu vas
    {au Refrain}
    J’ai lavé ton corps, l’ai vêtu,
    L’ai mis dans la maison de bois
    Où l’on t’a porté disparu
    Avec ton rire, avec ta voix
    Trois roses jetées dans le trou
    Et la terre pour les couvrir
    Moi au-dessus, toi en-dessous
    Et plus rien que les souvenirs
    Je suis rentré à la maison
    Où maman m’attendait sans toi
    Et puis j’ai fait cette chanson
    Pour te dire encore une fois
    Papa… Papa ”
    (“Dors, mon petit papa” by Francis Lalanne – 2005)

    Reply
  5. Therese

    God Bless your warm and loving soul and those around you. Strength will come forth

    Reply
  6. Andrea

    I will be thinking of you and your family….Bless you all!

    Reply
  7. MaryBEth

    Precious Corey,
    as you have so eloquently these past months, just open your soul and the words shall flow through you.
    Love, Prayers, and strength coming to you and your family on hummingbird wings-from the Joshua Tree Desert,
    You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
    You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
    I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
    You raise me up… To more than I can be
    ((( hugs)))
    MB

    Reply
  8. caty

    surrounding you with love to give you courage Corey. The words gather in your heart will flow and touch others hearts. As you say, a community who knows how to find the thread that gather us all.

    Reply
  9. nel

    I will be thinking of you, love and prayers.

    Reply
  10. Carolyn

    LendinG you an extra wing today dear one.

    Reply
  11. Suzanne

    Corey,
    I’ve been thinking of you so much. With the time difference between Portugal and California, yesterday night, when I went to sleep, I thought it was still afternoon in Willows and the Rosary was still to come. I knew it was going to be a time of love…
    Did you know that “eulogy” ressembles to the portuguese word “ELOGIO”, which means the same?
    We all will be with you today, in thought and rememberence, in Willows church.
    Love*

    Reply
  12. Vicki

    Sending prayers, love, strength, courage, peace and blessings to you and your family today. Hugs….

    Reply
  13. becky up the hill

    God Bless and keep you all Corey, my heart and prayers go out to you and yours. I’m glad your husband is able to come. Sincerely, Becky next county over or up a hill

    Reply
  14. Joy

    Dearest Corey,
    I pray the Lord gives you the strength and fortitude to deliver your emotion-filled eulogy.
    “I will open my heart in trust that,
    in ways I do not now understand,
    my loved one will continue to be present in my life.”
    -Martha Whitmore Hickman
    Your Father will be with you!
    Joy
    xo

    Reply
  15. constance lefevre forehand

    it will be the most beautiful eulogy . with the loving heart and gift of words that you have embraced with sincerity. GOD has blessed you and will continue to do so. HE has blessed me with your blog friendship.

    Reply
  16. Shannon

    I’m happy to know you’ve felt joy. You deserve every bit.

    Reply
  17. Mary

    I, like many of us glancing to the West, could not be sitting behind you and your family yesterday, however I hope you know our love and thoughts were with you. They will be with you today also. Your precious words, eulogizing your dear father, will be a testament to his life and keep beautiful memories of him close to all surrounding you.
    God bless you today and always Corey – I’m happy Yann is at your side helping you to stay strong.

    Reply
  18. Ciretta

    Dearest Corey,
    So many of us walk and sit behind you today in our hearts and minds….
    Courage and Grace, in equal measure,
    Love, Ciretta

    Reply
  19. Julie Loeschke

    You are in my heart and prayers today, as always.

    Reply
  20. Sheila

    I will be thinking of you today,
    with love
    xx

    Reply
  21. angela marie

    🙂
    (((Corey)))

    Reply
  22. My Melange

    I will hold you in my thoughts and prayers today Corey. You, your family and of course, your Dad.

    Reply
  23. Ellen Cassilly

    Lean into the love
    It’s there to support you
    it can lift you up so remember to lean into the love.

    Reply
  24. Irene

    … .

    Reply
  25. anna

    My heart is with you this day, dear Corey. God bless you and your family.

    Reply
  26. Kitem

    Will be with you today, thinking of you with your papa in my heart.

    Reply
  27. Laura

    May peace and courage be yours today.

    Reply
  28. pottermom

    Isn’t it amazing how love is so tangible just when you need it. May today be a day filled with tangible love, arms to hold you and hug you, eyes to smile and see, and an unspeakable joy to cover it all.

    Reply
  29. Pam

    Thinking and praying for you and your family today. So glad Yann is there with you! God Bless Love, Pam

    Reply
  30. Mo’a

    I am thinking of you and your Family today.
    As I read your posts I am struck by the thought that our loved ones are never lost to us…they live in our heart.
    I am sure that for all that listen to your eulogy today will see your Father in their mind and heart.
    ooxoxoo Mo’a

    Reply
  31. Wendi Kelly

    We will all be there with you today in spirit as you are reading. Hugs to you.

    Reply
  32. Star

    I’ll be thinking of all of you as you move through this day of celebration and goodbyes.

    Reply
  33. susanna

    Thinking of you today…wishing you strength and peace in your heart.

    Reply
  34. Paula

    Sorry, I have been away, sick. But still thinking of you so much and holding you in my heart.

    Reply
  35. Rosemary

    I feel your strength Corey!!!
    You are an amazing person.
    How nice that your dad and mom are so well liked and known in their town. That must be a good feeling.
    My thoughts, and prayers are with you on this day.
    Rosemary

    Reply
  36. martina

    We are there with you Corey.

    Reply
  37. Jenny Rebecca

    Thinking of you this morning as you celebrate the eucharist and your father’s beautiful life.

    Reply
  38. Elaine

    Corey, we will drink a toast to your father today, his legacy, his family, his spirit and all that the love that he left that will fill the void his presence left.

    Reply
  39. k.

    with LOVE and great Hope…k.

    Reply
  40. k.

    with LOVE and great Hope…k.

    Reply
  41. Elizabeth

    Wrapping you in the loving embrace of my heart. I am so moved at the uplifting joy your community has sent to you. Be joyful, dear Corey, in the beauty of your father and mother’s life and love.

    Reply
  42. beachy

    Corey, these words just came straight to my mind for you…
    “It is the Spirit which quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing. (Psalms) It is God’s love for you (and your father’s) which will continue to uplift and hold onto you through this next part of your journey in life.

    Reply
  43. amber

    Corey, your mom has been on my mind the last couple days…So many years of love together. Kory’s grandmother just passed, and she had been waiting so many years to go to Heaven and be with her her husband.As has been my own grandma the last few years. I know how much your mom is missing your dad right now, even though you have told us how strong she is…I just can’t imagine, and my heart goes out to her. Please hug her extra for us. 😉
    ox 🙂 blessings.

    Reply
  44. shannon in oregon

    words fail me, but know i’m thinking of you.

    Reply
  45. Deborah P

    Thinking of you getting ready for the service now. Whatever you say will be just right.

    Reply
  46. julie

    Thinking of you today.

    Reply
  47. Colette

    Do not stand at my grave and weep
    I am not there. I do not sleep.
    I am a thousand winds that blow.
    I am the diamond glints on snow.
    I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
    I am the gentle autumn rain.
    When you awaken in the morning’s hush
    I am the swift uplifting rush
    Of quiet birds in circled flight.
    I am the soft stars that shine at night.
    Do not stand at my grave and cry;
    I am not there, I did not die.
    I don’t know the author. I wanted to share this with you.

    Reply
  48. Mim

    May peace be with you and your family.
    Mim

    Reply
  49. Brenda Kula

    Hugs, hugs, and more hugs.
    Brenda

    Reply
  50. berriehead

    Find comfort in your memories & knowing that right now your papa is indeed in paradise*
    Thinking of you and your
    family with much love Corey*
    it gets a little easier with
    each passing day. Xoxo

    Reply
  51. rochambeau

    These words bring tears to my eyes. I know you are going to do a great job today! Continued prayers!
    xo
    C

    Reply
  52. liz elayne

    sending you peace and light corey. i am holding you and your family in my heart today…

    Reply
  53. M. Read

    Just returned from a family reunion to find all that you and yours have experienced. God bless you and all of your loved ones. Sending blessings and light your way. M. Read

    Reply
  54. tut-tut

    The town poured out for my mother’s memorial service; it is a wonderful wonderful thing to understand how beloved your father was in his community.

    Reply
  55. Lei

    Blessings, Corey!

    Reply
  56. Pat

    I came by to tell you, I’m sending you much love, dear Corey. I want to thank you for your amazing strength, that has helped me so much in the past few weeks.
    I continue praying for you and your remarkable family.
    Pat

    Reply
  57. Merisi

    I keep you in my thoughts.

    Reply
  58. Merisi

    I keep you in my thoughts.

    Reply
  59. Karen from Wisconsin farmland

    “God never gives us more than we can handle.” I’m sure Our Blessed Lady had her arms around all of you. I’m thinking of your mother……
    Love and many prayers that others will remember Mom as time passes in the future.
    Thank you for helping me to strengthen my faith, giving me a revised outlook on life.
    Karen from Wisconsin

    Reply
  60. Alina

    May you continue to feel joy.

    Reply
  61. Maddy

    Dearest Corey, I am so sad to read of your fathers passing, I’m sending you all my love across the miles and know that he is in safe hands with his family. Thinking of you.

    Reply
  62. Tammy

    May your family continue to feel this hope and love of so many. I have been thinking of you today.
    Love and blessings

    Reply
  63. melly

    followed you all day like a shadow in silent prayer…..

    Reply
  64. Julie

    Corey,
    Just checking in one more time to let you know I’ve been thinking of you. Glad FH is there to take care of you for a few days.

    Reply
  65. collette

    So glad you are surrounded by love.
    You are courageous and it inspires me.
    Continued prayer for you and your family Corey.
    Much love.
    xo
    ~c

    Reply
  66. Kieren

    I have never met you, probably never will. but i love your blog. am thinking of you and your family. my motherinlaw died almost exactly a year ago…the rituals of death are so healing and necesary…it comes and goes like waves…be patient with yourself… it is so interesting to watch how those around you deal with grief. Everyone is different, I was fascinated by that, it helped me get out of myself a bit to pay attention to others. Kids are marvelous stress relievers!

    Reply
  67. Tina

    I have been holding you in my thoughts. Peace be with you.

    Reply
  68. gayle

    Your words were lovely and so heartfelt. I think your Father’s life is a model of how we should act and live. love and prayers, Gayle

    Reply

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