What is love? That famous question that seeks an answer, over and over again.
The last time I saw my Grandmother, she stood behind me and embraced me. I laughed telling her it was a funny way to be hugged good bye? She hugged me tighter, and than whispered in my ear:
"This is how my Mother embraced me, when I left the Azores, to come to America. When I open my arms, you are facing your destiny, your future, and I'm behind you letting you go. That is love, letting others be who they are, standing behind them, and loving them all the more.
When my Grandmother opened her arms I saw what she meant.
Love unconditionally, easy to say, harder to do.
Photo: French antique statue of Mary holding faded roses. Love never ends. How do you answer the question about love?
So true and just the way my parents loved me. I wish and hope I'm managing to love my children in the same way. A big hug to you Corey! I don't comment often but I always read your posts!
Posted by: ilva | 29 April 2007 at 11:32 AM
What a beautiful story...how precious it is to let go of the ones we love to let them find their own wings. Nel xo
Posted by: nel | 29 April 2007 at 11:33 AM
Lovely!
Posted by: Lee | 29 April 2007 at 12:29 PM
Your grandmother was a very wise lady.
I wrote a love letter to my daughter back on February 19, when she and her boyfriend split apart.
I know this letter, and the comment it got (I posted the letter in my blog), meant alot to her. She copied both the letter and the comments in her diary.
She is smiling again today and has become a stronger, wiser young woman through her experiences.
Posted by: Britt-Arnhild | 29 April 2007 at 12:32 PM
Aren't those of us who are fortunate enough to experience unconditional love, lucky people? Some people can go through their entire lives without ever knowing that security and comfort.
Posted by: freefalling | 29 April 2007 at 12:53 PM
Quel précieux et généreux souvenir !
Posted by: Marie | 29 April 2007 at 02:23 PM
What a loving moment, beautiful words (interesting thoughts on the perfect relationship).
Posted by: cruststation | 29 April 2007 at 02:34 PM
Letting go with love.
How many of us had families who understood this concept?
Posted by: ParisBreakfasts | 29 April 2007 at 02:51 PM
Cory your avó grande was a wise and generous lady. To say goodbye to someone you love and not know when you will see them again, to wish them well unselfishly, knowing you will feel the loss of them..that is unconditional indeed.
Posted by: sheila | 29 April 2007 at 02:54 PM
What a wonderful grandmother. And a wonderful image of her behind you, with her arms around you.
Posted by: tut-tut | 29 April 2007 at 03:17 PM
Your Grandmother's wisdom was strong and wise. I'm sure her love was infused into you.
Posted by: constance | 29 April 2007 at 03:50 PM
Corey this is beautiful!! So much insight, so much love!!!
Posted by: patpaulk | 29 April 2007 at 04:13 PM
So I have to work hard at this if I want to show how much I love my children...
I tend to let them go with one arm and to keep hold of them with the other one...
Yes, this WILL be HARD,... VERY hard for me !!!
Posted by: Marie-Noëlle | 29 April 2007 at 05:17 PM
the photo is so moving to me and
your post.
I think I have to re-commit every morning
to loving unconditionally -
true love is true work and
so pure of heart.
Posted by: sophie | 29 April 2007 at 06:29 PM
That story brought a lump to my chest of aching understanding for the future, of how a mother's love has to evolve to the point of letting go - facing your children towards their own future.
Beautifully told, Corey.
Posted by: Kit | 29 April 2007 at 06:54 PM
Oh Corey, so very beautiful and well said...I can always count on you touching my heart when I stop by ~ Dawn
Posted by: Dawn Edmonson | 29 April 2007 at 07:54 PM
Your grandmother's philosophy is wonderful and certainly memorable. Thanks for sharing her wisdom.
Posted by: Paris Parfait | 29 April 2007 at 08:05 PM
I have a hard time letting go... but this story of your grandmother will help me now.
xo
Posted by: Regina Clare Jane | 29 April 2007 at 08:19 PM
Beautiful picture and post. What a rare and beautiful gift of wisdom and strength your grandmother gave along with her hug. How generous of you to share it with us - that, too, seems unconditional ...
Posted by: Acey | 29 April 2007 at 09:46 PM
Another story of life and love...thank you.
Meilleurs voeux!!
Posted by: bluevicar | 29 April 2007 at 09:55 PM
I hope it is okay for me to save this entry...print it out, and frame it? Your grandmothers words....beautiful. I needed to hear this very much today...that there ARE people who offer unconditional love...
Posted by: Amy | 29 April 2007 at 10:02 PM
Wow.
Posted by: Alison Whittington | 29 April 2007 at 11:54 PM
As I'm fast closing in on my 25th Anniversary.......Lemonette just plain nailed it.
Dana in VA
Posted by: Dana Smith | 30 April 2007 at 02:00 AM
As always.....hitting the nail on the head...Your grandma sounds like a wise woman! Love this post Corey!
Posted by: Linda Harre | 30 April 2007 at 03:41 AM
I couldn't have said it better.........but, you have! Thanks for your lovely words once again....
Posted by: Jann | 30 April 2007 at 04:24 AM
...and unconditional love frees both the giver and the receiver. There is no feeling in the world like it.
xo
Posted by: Blue | 30 April 2007 at 04:37 AM
Oh, Corey, that was magical, reading your history and seeing you ... magic, inspirtation mixed with shock and awe ;)
My grandmother was so important in my life ... and I still talk to her almost everyday, even though she has been gone many years now. She is always with me, trying to walk with me when she could hardly do so. But my favorite memory is the last time we spent the night together. We always slept together when I visited, and the last time with my baby son was no different. On a lumpy, hard, fold-out sofa bed, we fell asleep holding each others hand. With Matt in the middle. She was my center of gravitity.
Posted by: kimberly Carney | 30 April 2007 at 04:56 AM
What a beautiful way to hug someone and send them out into the world feeling strong and affirmed! My grandparents left Europe to come here, as children. My great-grandparents never saw their homeland or relatives again...so the story of the hug touches my heart! I also love the photo of the statue of Mary that you used with the story!
Posted by: lila | 30 April 2007 at 05:17 AM
What awesome words!!!!
This is so precious.....
Posted by: Gypsy Purple-Chamara | 30 April 2007 at 05:18 AM
the simple words of the incredible wisdom of our elders. this post is so lovely and so heartwarming and quite a lesson on love and giving...thank you for sharing it.
Posted by: kristin | 30 April 2007 at 05:19 AM
Corey, Love Lemonette!! She's wonderful! Thanks, Bronwen
Posted by: Flights of Fab Fashion Fancy | 30 April 2007 at 05:39 AM
Love doesn't stop because we don't see each other.
Posted by: Colette | 30 April 2007 at 07:58 AM
oh I love what your grandmother said to you...wonderful!
I just did a collage about a girl leaving by boat...I wondered how she felt leaving her family...
At the touch of love everyone becomes a poet...love that quote
Posted by: Anastasia | 30 April 2007 at 10:08 AM
Merci pour toi travaillent et ont une bonne semaine
Posted by: David Santos | 30 April 2007 at 12:13 PM
It IS hard to do. I can't always accomplish loving myself! But I do love this photo!
Posted by: shabbyinthecity | 30 April 2007 at 01:06 PM
I think I'll hug my kids from behind from now on.
Posted by: Shannon | 30 April 2007 at 02:16 PM
Many times I find myself hugging, but never wanting to let go (though I know I must)!
My uncle's family is from the Azores, Corey!
Posted by: Beachy | 30 April 2007 at 05:27 PM
Corey,
The story brought tears to my eyes. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Lorene | 30 April 2007 at 05:38 PM
Corey , every time I blog , I STOP by tongue in cheek and each time I just love reading your life and feelings the way you apprehende life is so close to mine , Gosh I hope some days we 'll get the opportunity to share a nice hot cup of tea after the market on a saturday morning "Place des LICES "!
Take care
Eivlys
Posted by: eivlys | 01 May 2007 at 01:03 PM
oh that is so beautiful.
Posted by: jessica | 01 May 2007 at 05:07 PM
Such truth and beauty in your words. As always, Corey, thank you for sharing. It brought tears to my eyes.
Posted by: Andrea S. | 01 May 2007 at 05:22 PM
This is an amazing story of love and letting go. I find it really interesting that you put a photo of Mary with it. She was a master at this, wasn't she? I think I must have needed to read this today. Thank you.
Posted by: candy | 01 May 2007 at 05:43 PM
Your grandmother's words are so wise, and I will especially take them to heart as I am just starting to send my sons out into the world. What a wonderful, symbolic way to convey love and trust.
I have really enjoyed reading your posts. I have visited Paris three times, yet it is never enough!
Posted by: cre8tiv | 01 May 2007 at 10:15 PM
Corey........... your grandmothers goodbye should be the story of a book you never want to put down, a tale of how life should be, a reminder of the path we might follow....thank you
Posted by: minnie | 02 May 2007 at 12:13 AM
what beautiful and wise words! you are so right, i think my little guru {little fiona} is giving me an intensive course on unconditional love.
Posted by: Veronica TM | 02 May 2007 at 03:20 AM
It sounds like the fruit did not drop far from this tree, Corey dear. What love and tenderness.
:)
Posted by: Amber | 02 May 2007 at 05:15 AM
Beautiful!
Posted by: Alexandra | 03 May 2007 at 04:03 AM
This post made me tear up...because it made me realize that I'd never thought about that moment before...the moment when my Great-Grandparents left the Azores. What a HUGE risk that must have seemed...to move nearly half a world away... Beautiful post.
Posted by: Marilyn | 06 May 2007 at 04:57 PM