The Rosary

                        

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

[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

[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.

[Shannon]

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

[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.

[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

[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

[Vicki]

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

[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*

[Carolyn]

LendinG you an extra wing today dear one.

[nel]

I will be thinking of you, love and prayers.

[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.

[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

[Andrea]

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

[Therese]

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

[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)

[TACE]

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

[Marie-Noëlle]

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

[Di]

We will be thinking of you and your family today.