Thursday, January 6, 2011

Farewell

The holiday is over. This glorious time of drifting, playing, pottering, snoozing, swimming, walking, cooking, eating and standing still in wonder, has come to an end.

Last night I caught a special light on the hill: slanting highlights and long shadows, which matched my mood exactly: a mix of sadness and gratitude.

There's something so poignant about that moment, when a house that has been filled with love and laughter, suddenly empties itself out. The walls feel further apart somehow, and the ceiling higher. The silence vibrates with what has been.

This morning, with the family gone and rain gently falling, I tidied up some more and paused to gather the relics of Mira's stream adventures: a feather, a stalk of bunny grass, and an unknown dune grass. Here they are, holding the sweet memories of witnessing a little one bonding with nature, and with this place: a bond that I hope will be strengthened with every passing year.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Such a wondrous tribute to a little one's play and adventure and memories for you of a time spent with family. What a keepsake this picture would be for Mira to have on day - and what a gift for the rest of us to see it here.

Marilyn & Jeff said...

What a wonderful memories you have to take with you now and throughout the year until the next holiday season. These memories will be your movable feast and you will be able to return to this holiday time whenever you want as they will never leave you.

Juliet said...

Thank you Penny and Marilyn for your comments, and for sharing in this wonderful episode of my life with such empathy.