tag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-260700 2009-12-24T10:11:07+01:00 Stories collected while living in France. TypePad tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83451cb9a69e20120a779131a970b 2009-12-24T10:11:07+01:00 2009-12-24T10:11:07+01:00

How I wish I could sit by your side, Hold you hand, Smile into your eyes, and to Have your breath moisten life into the emptiness. How I wish I could. Climb upon your lap, wrapping your steadfast goodness about me, and have your laughter reassure me, "Corey, you sound like you are right here!" Again and again, you often said when I would call home. Though far from you I stand, your spirit laps against me from a distant sea. ____________________________ As we leave Paris, with a million memories stirred from the time when we first lived here, and head towards Rennes to celebrate Christmas with French Husband's family... I realize why I did not set up a Christmas tree at home. Why I have been in denial. Why I have not felt 'Christmas' for the first time in my life... why I am having a hard time pushing this feeling that wants to engulfs me.... Delayed grief. Now I know why Christmas can be a sad day. I miss my Dad, I miss my Mom, I miss my four brothers, my Sister in Laws, my nieces and nephews... I miss my family in the States, the popcorn balls, the family party with my million cousins at the hall, the aroma of my Mother's cooking love, the Christmas carols in English, Jingle Bells, My Aunts desserts, the whole enchilada and it is a fact I cannot deny this Christmas after 22 years. I will be okay... just a few tears here and there... I am thankful for I have and what I have been given, and I am tearful and that is just what it is...Life abroad, Christmas time and the whole enchilada without meat. Have you ever felt blue at Christmas time?

Tongue in Cheek tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83451cb9a69e20120a7750e7c970b 2009-12-23T10:55:01+01:00 2009-12-23T10:55:01+01:00

What is on top of your Christmas Tree? A snake skin, intertwined lovebirds, an elf, a gold tin star, a gaudy pink star, an angel, a bow, a top hat, a Radko Santa tree topper with two sunburst reflectors, a stained glass star, A dove wearing a crown, A tarnished tin angel, A star made of capiz shell, peace on earth banner, an owl, a mishape felt Santa's hat, an Eiffel tower, a naked baby..... The list was varied...and like me some of you did not put one up for one reason or another. Whatever is on top or not on your tree may this Christmas crown your heart with peace and joy! The 5 random Winners are: (Well the first winner wasn't random... the poem was two clever to let slide by.) 1) A poem (Hummed to the Twelve Days of Christmas) Twelve Gifts to Buy Eleven Cards to Write Ten Cakes to Bake Nine Wreaths to Make Eight Bows to Tie Seven Gifts to Ship Six Cookie Trays Five Extra Pounds Four Christmas Teas Three Office Parties Two Holiday Dinners and One REDDD BERET Laurie 2) A red winged black bird's nest I had a red beret when I was 5. I'd love to have another... The top of my tree has a red winged black bird's nest perched on it. In fact my whole tree has real bird's nests camped all over it. Most were given to me by my good friend Janet, from Artois, who was always coming upon nests at her family farm. Nan Tofanelli 3) A gold star A gold star sits atop my 2ft tree, I too was not up to putting up a tree but gave in and bought the smallest fresh tree I could find, it makes me smile just like the idea of wearing a red beret for Christmas. Pearl 4) ...the feeling of missing someone, Alas my day began with a call from my son saying he was snowed in in Europe and would not be coming home for Christmas....... the star atop my tree is not beaming as brightly now. Next year I'm going to leave the tree in the forest and watch the star twinkle in the sunlight! bj the canuck 5) RED BERET At the top of my Christmas tree is a Angel tree topper that was my Nana's. It used to light up, but it...

Tongue in Cheek tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83451cb9a69e2012876742fff970c 2009-12-22T10:22:04+01:00 2009-12-22T10:22:04+01:00

We are on our way to Paris for a few days, and then French Husband's family in Rennes for Christmas. Hence our Christmas tree is still under the stairwell... I told our friends who are staying at our home for Christmas, "If you want a Christmas Tree ours is hiding under the stairs." They thought I was teasing. Then I added, "The red wine polka dots stains on the chimney are leftovers from Santa last year." They looked at each other than at me, "Corey are you okay?" "I have never felt better. I survived not putting up a Christmas tree, and left the red wine stains without guilt. God it feels good to be free to be myself even when it isn't often perfect," then I added, "Anyway, the tree is under the stairs in case you want it, and if you want to clean the wine stains read my yesterday's comments on my blog.... there is good advice about stain removal." ---------------- Anyway I am giving five red berets away because Christmas time is coming, we are in Paris, and because YOU are so very generous to read and respond to my blog after all these years! Thank you for your amazing friendship! If you would like a chance at a red beret add your name to the comment section and let me know what is on top of your Christmas tree. (Maybe next year it will be a red beret!)

Tongue in Cheek