Guest Post: Sue Johnpeter

Sue Johnpeter

 

When the blogging universe was exploding into many points of light, I found my way to Corey’s blog. Her touching words and observations kept me coming back. Her story of Chelsea climbing into Sacha’s crib to give him a bottle when Corey was recovering from cancer surgery touched me deeply. An incredible family, a mother with such heart and love.

 

 

Sue garden(Our front porch)

 

Like many Americans, I am drawn to things French. Unlike many Americans, the reason is that our Dad was a bombardier instructor in Big Spring, Texas, during World War II. His job eventually became teaching the Free French who had escaped from Europe, ready to be trained and sent back to liberate their beloved country. These were the bedtime stories we grew up on.

 

 

AParis 1950

(My Dad and brothers 1950 in the City of Light)

 

In time, my parents, along with my brothers, ages 3 and 1, spent 1950-1951 in Montpellier while Dad earned a Diplôme Universitaire, a French degree. He would teach high school French for 30 years. My mother, a journalist, and writer wrote and published many stories based on this formative post-war life. While I would not be born until much later, I cherish each word.

 

B st martin

(With my family in St. Martin, France)

 

 

Sue boat on Egg harbour(Egg Harbor)

 

I guess you’d say we’ve been crazy Francophiles from the start (as if we had a choice). My husband, Charlie, and I have spent many happy days in Quimper (we collect French faïence); Montpellier (A gendarme told me never to drive there again); Castelleras (outside Nice); Paris for New Year; and St. Martin, or France d’outre-mer.

 

Quimper faience Sue x

 
The Quimper faience renderings of the Breton people really resonated with me. One plate led to another and 20 years later, there was a collection. In more than one room. Snuff bottles, inkwells, platters, cups. As with my children, there is no one favorite.

 

No Ordinary Life

 

 

In a seemingly fullish-circle, I wrote a book in 2014 based on the harrowing experiences of my friend, Glenn King, a World War II bombardier, who was shot down on his 23rd mission and held in a German prisoner of war camp until May 1945. Our book is called

“No Ordinary Life – Memoir of a World War II Bombardier.”

Spending time with Glenn and writing his story has been the honor of my life. 

 

C Nice(A view of Nice)

 

My husband and I planned a trip to southern France this year on the occasion of our 40th wedding anniversary. Alas, that trip will have to wait until the world is healed. France will be there, of that I have no doubt.

 

You can follow Sue on Instagram suejp 

“No Ordinary Life” is available on Amazon.

 



Comments

8 responses to “Guest Post: Sue Johnpeter”

  1. A great blog posting from yet another guest blogger. Thank you so much for all you shared with us.
    Yes we are all awaiting the world to heal.
    Praying for God to protect us all always.
    Thank you Corey for introducing us to so many lovely people.
    Enjoy the time with your own family.
    Love Jeanne

  2. Wonderful post! It is an honor to get a glimpse Into the lives of the lovely people who are connected to Corey! Thank you.

  3. So many interesting tidbits in a short few sentences! I enjoy reading about your father’s teaching. When I read life stories like his it confirms my beliefs that some people are just sent on specific paths, each even leading to the next…which eventually prepared and placed you just where you needed to be to write an important book about your friend! I can see your sense of humour in the photos on your blog, how interesting you are!

  4. Becky Peterson

    Your story is so rich. What a wealth of experiences you bring. Thanks to you, and your own father for his service.

  5. What an interesting story you have to tell. Your father’s experiences and its influence on your family and then the telling of your friend’s story. It must have been very gratifying to be able to write his WWII experiences. Thank you for sharing

  6. What a wonderful story, and a life well lived. We all have this one connection, Corey.
    This is so amazing, as we are all very different.
    Thank you….
    Ali

  7. Susan,
    You must join us at the Quimper Club International https://www.quimperclub.org/ it a great group for lovers of all things french faience

  8. @Trisha – avec plaisir! Merci. And thanks, everyone, for your kind words.

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