This cool vintage motorcycle I saw at the flea market. I thought how my Dad would love it, his laughter of pleasure filled my ear. I could see him bending down to check it out. At that moment, I felt him by my side, my eyes welled up with tears. It is funny how out of the blue, something can remind us of someone transporting them there beside us.
Dad, you are in my heart pocket no matter how far away.
Memory: I am eight years old and riding on the gas tank of my Father's motorcycle. We are rounding up the cows for milking. My Dad says he thinks I am ready to ride alone. I take hold of the handlebars. I can feel him smiling. He says yes, you are ready and jumps off. I glance back and see him standing, still smiling, yelling, "Look where you're going!" I look ahead and see the field, the cows, the blue sky, and the wild sensation of flying by the seat of my pants." That feeling is palpable when this memory is stirred.
No wonder you have such an adventuous spirit!
BRAVO for your Dad
and
Happy Father's Day to him
You both are lucky :)
Posted by: Paris Poodle | 17 June 2007 at 10:44 AM
I only rode a motorbike once - I burnt my leg badly on the exhaust pipe and I've never been on one again! Coincidentally, as I write this, I am watching a story on TV about the Crusty Demons - profiling an Australian kid who is a new up and coming star - he lives on a farm! Do you know the Crusty D's? I wonder if they could do their daredevil moves on the bike in the French flea market?
Beautiful story about your Dad, your childhood and your heart.
Posted by: Freefalling | 17 June 2007 at 12:07 PM
Here's a toast to loving Father's and all the beautiful men in our lives..........
It brought a tear to my eye to read your story as always.
Love Jeanne ^j^
Posted by: Jeanne | 17 June 2007 at 12:09 PM
It's obvious your freedom to explore feeling has never left. It lives through your blog. We all get to take part in your adventures through your eyes, ears and poetic words.
Happy Father's Day Mr Amaro and thank you so much for letting go of Corey and allowing her to experience the wind under her wings. She soars.
xo
Posted by: cheeky | 17 June 2007 at 12:10 PM
"Look where you're going!"
Best advice a parent can give! Happy Father's Day to your dad...
Posted by: Pauline Clarke | 17 June 2007 at 12:21 PM
Happy Father's Day Mr. Amaro.
Posted by: Britt-Arnhild | 17 June 2007 at 12:45 PM
Oh Corey...what a fun family you have...our family games are more of the table or golfing kind...but equally dangerous I assure you...beautiful thoughts as usual...blessings on this glorious Sunday, Rebecca
Posted by: Cre8Tiva | 17 June 2007 at 01:55 PM
Happy Father's Day to French Husband, too!
Posted by: tut-tut | 17 June 2007 at 01:59 PM
Your dad gave you something else that day..
Wings to fly, a sense of freedom and adventure, and the confidence to pursue it.
Thank you for sharing that spirit with us every day, and Happy Father's Day Mr. Amaro xoxo
Posted by: sheila | 17 June 2007 at 02:13 PM
What a lovely memory of your Dad. Happy Dad's Day to him and French husband.
Posted by: Hasmin | 17 June 2007 at 02:15 PM
Isn't it wonderful how seeing something can conjure up memories? Happy Father's day to your dad with your lovely tribute.
Posted by: cruststation | 17 June 2007 at 02:29 PM
Corey - so nice, so very nice. A Happy Father's Day to the most important men in our lives.
Posted by: Carol | 17 June 2007 at 02:36 PM
What a great memory! Happy father's day to all the dad's in our lives.
Posted by: tommiea | 17 June 2007 at 02:39 PM
Priceless! All of it!
I'm still laughing over how they 'primp and spit'.
Posted by: shabbyinthecity | 17 June 2007 at 02:40 PM
Happy papas day to you mr amaro! You're one 'cool' amigo!
& corey you were one lucky chica to have such a darling Fun and cool papa! I so love the contrast of your typical rural american upbringing & childhood against the chic-ness of your adult life in France! & as usual your posts make me all teary..you write from your heart with such a story! well I've bambled on long enough....Happy Fathers Day to all good men! xoxo
Posted by: berrie | 17 June 2007 at 04:15 PM
Your memory... How wonderful. Both that he trusted you to ride it yourself. And the wonderful feeling you got, and still have. What a lovely gift to his little girl.
Mari-Nanci
Posted by: Mari-Nanci | 17 June 2007 at 04:19 PM
Takes me back to the time when I learned how to ride a bike! I could ride really good...BUT...it took awhile to learn how to stop AND turn around! I miss my Dad...he's been gone just a little over a year...
Posted by: Dee | 17 June 2007 at 04:25 PM
Such lovely memories you are able to recount Corey...and I really like the picture of the bike too!
Posted by: My Melange | 17 June 2007 at 05:09 PM
You just made me cry.
Hi with smiles to your Dad as he reads this! Happy Father's Day!
Posted by: rochambeau | 17 June 2007 at 05:24 PM
ohhh, Corey! What a sweet memory! It made me cry...I did not have a good relationship with my own father at all. All my life I wished I could have had a good Dad! You are very fortunate, indeed! THat motorcycle is so COOOl!
Posted by: pam aries | 17 June 2007 at 05:25 PM
what a beautiful memory and image - your Dad gave you the precious gift of self reliance and freedom at the tender age of 8 - Dads and Daughters - what sweet boundless joy!
Happy Father's Day Mr. Corey's Dad, Mr. French Husband and all the other special Dad's out there!
xox eb.
Posted by: eb | 17 June 2007 at 05:30 PM
I'm back here again to smile:) luv to you C!
Posted by: berrie | 17 June 2007 at 06:28 PM
Happy father's day Mr. Amaro! Corey-you are so fortunate, your father has given you confidence, wonderful memories and lots of love.
Posted by: martina | 17 June 2007 at 06:40 PM
What a precious post Corey!!!!!
Posted by: Gypsy Purple--Chamara | 17 June 2007 at 07:28 PM
Happy Father !
Happy daughter !
Happy Day !
Posted by: Marie-Noëlle | 17 June 2007 at 07:29 PM
A wonderful memory and lovely tribute to your dad.
Posted by: Paris Parfait | 17 June 2007 at 07:45 PM
another rich memory from your childhood. wonderful!
happy father's day to you and your family.
Posted by: simple me | 17 June 2007 at 09:28 PM
Happy Father's Day to Daddies everywhere!
Meilleurs voeux!!
Posted by: bluevicar | 17 June 2007 at 09:45 PM
and what a feeling! i absolutely love it.
Posted by: elsa | 17 June 2007 at 09:50 PM
Corey,
Isn't it nice, that we can remember all of those nice things.
Hope you are having a great day!!
Rosemary
Posted by: Rosemary | 17 June 2007 at 11:43 PM
Such sweet memories. Your dad gave you so much.
Happy Father's Day to you dad and to French Husband also.
Posted by: Star | 18 June 2007 at 12:15 AM
Such wonderful memories Corey. Happy Father's Day to your dad and French husband.
In Australia, we celebrate FD in September.
Posted by: Nora | 18 June 2007 at 12:20 AM
Oh I have looked forward to seeing what kind of special valentine you have for your dad on his special day :)
Posted by: Acey | 18 June 2007 at 12:39 AM
Sister Corey,
I will make sure Dad sees this post. We visited with him earlier and will see him again tonight as we will take he and Mom to Orland for the Festa. Yeah, he would bend down and look at the motor and try to figure out the origin or this machine. I know he would and will laugh and maybe shed a tear when he sees this post. Thanks Sister and Happy Fathers Day to Yann my brother.
Posted by: Brother Mathew | 18 June 2007 at 01:24 AM
Corey, At Britton's Grad party your mother and father of course came over and said hello but, when they were leaving your dad came over and kissed me on my head while holding my hand, I felt very special at that moment. I lost my dad at a young age I just hope that my dad could be a dad like yours. Happy father's day George and Yann!
Posted by: Shelley | 18 June 2007 at 02:35 AM
What a beautiful tribute to your father on this special day!
I bet your dad has a great sense of fun!
Posted by: Beverly | 18 June 2007 at 04:09 AM
Oh that is so sweet. And what a wonderful memory to hold in your heart. You wrote it so well that I pictured the entire experience.
Thank you
Posted by: Mountain Mama | 18 June 2007 at 05:00 AM
When the tears well up, they really are there, right beside you. I congratulate you on the time you got to spend with your dad!
Posted by: Ann | 18 June 2007 at 06:34 AM
A very sweet story! Before my Aunt died she told me that she would return to me as a butterfly. I don't know if it's true but everytime I see a butterfly I say, "Hi, Aunt Lois. Is that you?" One even came up and landed on my sleeve and stayed there for several minutes. That must have been her!
Posted by: Linda | 18 June 2007 at 07:03 AM
Corey you wrote: "It is funny how out of the blue, something can reminds us of someone and they are right there beside us."
I was in tears from there on. So TRUE.
xox
Posted by: ~jolenemarie | 18 June 2007 at 09:47 AM
What a beautiful Father's day memory. How is your Dad?
Posted by: patpaulk | 18 June 2007 at 04:22 PM
As usual...you describe feelings in a way all of us can relate to (and cry!)
xo Lidy
Posted by: frenchgardenhouse | 18 June 2007 at 07:03 PM
Lovely memory
Posted by: Molly | 18 June 2007 at 08:38 PM
It's redundant on my part, but I want to add in my admiration for your sweetness and wonderful telling of tales anyway.
Posted by: Shelley Noble | 18 June 2007 at 08:41 PM
That's a beautiful memory of your dad- I have many like that, too... except we are fishing...:)
xo
Posted by: Regina Clare Jane | 18 June 2007 at 08:55 PM
Corey,,,what a beautiful posting about your Dad and the motorcycle.....You are so fortunate to have such a closeness to your Father....I am envious.....Betty
Posted by: Betty @ Country Charm | 18 June 2007 at 08:57 PM
I only once tried to ride a small motor cycle. I FELL OFF
Posted by: Di Overton | 18 June 2007 at 10:11 PM
Wow. What an amazing gift your dad gave ou that day. I especially love that the feeling is still there.
Posted by: candy | 18 June 2007 at 10:28 PM
Aw...I'm sure your dad loves this memory as much as you do, Corey. Sounds like he's a loving father with a huge heart of gold. Whenever I see french mints or a particular dark chocolate bar, I think of my dad.
Posted by: susanna | 19 June 2007 at 02:44 AM
What a beautiful bike, and your description of that first solo ride is just lovely. It made me think of my first ride... My dad was by my side as well. How special.
Posted by: louise | 20 June 2007 at 11:24 AM
I just found you through another weblog. What beautiful goings on here!! I read your "about me" page-too funny. I live in the Bay Area and know of the
I Beam. But the post about your dad was most touching. The relationshio between a father and daughter is so special, like no other. I'm so happy to have found you- I will be back! Donna
Posted by: Donna O'Brien -The Ribboned Crown | 24 June 2007 at 05:45 PM