"I've been letting my mind wonder at night. My thoughts should have a curfew." Am Kidd

Friday, July 22, 2011

Times they are a' changing...


Sweltering heat, wooden floors that feel as if they had a fever. Long lazy days that melt and disappear into glorious golden sunsets. Fireflies that come out and guide my footsteps round the darkened garden paths. The crickets' lullaby, the fluttering of wings, the sound of flowers bursting wide open. The smell of earth after a brief and fierce thunderstorm... I have succumbed. Helpless. Intoxicated. I don't want to move, am afraid to break the spell... 

But the spell has been broken and life as we know it has changed. The last of our children, our sweet daughter Adriana is moving out. We are now part of that group called "The Empty Nesters." As I help her pack, organize, shop, and decide, I can't help but wonder: where has time gone?! Already the house is permeated by that peculiar scent of change, of closing chapters. The spirit of Melancholy hides behind the boxes, playing hide and go seek with Excitement. There's confusion when they collide, bewildered, they stare at each other only to turn around and run again.

I am very happy for her, proud to see her making the right choices. I have  no doubt she and Mitch will be fine together...and yet, she has not even left and I already miss her... our morning chats, our late evening glasses of wine, our silly tears over a movie or a song, our "fighting" over the bathroom mirror :0) Those carefree moments of everyday life when kids still live at home, and while I'm ready for the new special ones to come, I can't help but mourn for those that will stop. This feeling reminds me of  a book I once read (The Other Side of the Fire). My children were still very young and the empty nester years seemed very far away, but even back then these words caught my attention: "Sometimes she wondered whether it was her own childhood she mourned, or the childhood of her children."  Amazing.

I am back until Monday, then I will return to the country. The porch is done except for the floor, which will be painted sometime next week before bringing in some pieces of furniture. I want to keep it simple and just allow the surrounding beauty be the focal point.


Abby knows I'm busy so she keeps a look out for unexpected visitors


 such as this one.



She also lets me know when the Clematis bloom


My dear sweet Abby :0)


The guest room is finished



There's still a lot to do but for now I need to slow down, try to take it all in, re-adjust and go along with the changes.

(Image Source: Weheartit.com)

"We live...for moments...minutes, fractions of an hour...for these intervals are timeless. While they last, we have complete understanding, happiness and strength.  We live in a true sense and we perceive the meaning of life." 
 British Butterflies (an antique butterfly book)

May all your moments be wonderful,


20 comments:

  1. Bitter-sweet times for your dear Alina. Take courage and enjoy these changes, your daughter has made you proud I'm sure. You will enjoy her visits so much.

    Abby is so sweet, what a lovely caring face she has!

    Happy summertime dear friend.

    Jeanne
    x

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  2. Dear Alina, such a bittersweet time for you...I can only imagine the emotions your are feeling at this time...but what better way to spend it than at your beautiful 'purple caravan' - that last picture just exudes peace and tranquility - such a harmonious space. And little Abby is a darling - thank goodness for our little fur friends xxx

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  3. My son is off to Uni in September but I still have my daughter for a few more years. I can't imagine how it will feel when both have left. I suppose we have to look to how much more exciting their visits will be now we don't see them as often. xx

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  4. Not to worry, the nest is empty tiempok bit, then filled again with new chicks poiuan and cheer again .... Greetings Home

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  5. Dearest Alina,
    I know this time is bittersweet ... however, a beautiful journey awaits for you! Like that gorgeous Cecropia moth, awaiting with her wings wide open, your time to fly has come.

    I wish you much peace, my friend. May your summer continue to brightly shine!

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  6. It must be so hard having your last little bird fly the nest. But I am thinking sweet Abby is there to help you with the 'empty' part! :)

    I hope you are having a lovely summer dearest Alina!
    xo Catherine

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  7. HI Alina..hugs!! wow..super wow..such gorgeous photos capturing such beauty of your sacred space...and beautiful Abby.( all grown up)..just gorgeous!

    HUgs to you my friend.....yes a time of transitions and powerful changes..endings and new beginnings...but all beautiful cycles of life too..all meaningful and purposeful......my thoughts are with you! Shine on...

    Such stunning photos..they all captivate me and steal my heart...the first and last are very potent as well..charged with lots of life and energy and deep emotion..and MAGIC all of their own!
    Wishing youa shining week ahead..and a magical summer always!!
    Kiki

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  8. I would love to have my son back as a baby again, I know I would enjoy it so much more, without the self doubts and lack of confidence I suffered as a new Mum.
    Your cabin looks just perfect. It will be a wonderful little nest for your family to come home to.

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  9. Hello my sweet friend, haven't seen you in a while. Your place looks lovely. I bet it's hard with your last one leaving, but only happiness will return with her visits. Wishing you peace and love...and happy weekend.

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  10. What a sweet bittersweet post!

    I love the light shining on to your porch!

    Love, Katy Noelle xo

    P.S. Sorry for the strangeness of a short comment. I'm trying to comment but nothing is coming out right because it's the wee hours of the morning and I can't sleep - I'm absolutely daft!

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  11. A beautiful blog, a beautiful atmosphere, peace and magic, enchantment of sound, soul and eye.

    Abby is precious, is she a miniature or short legged Jack?

    Great blog. I am transported.

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  12. Hello kindred...just stopping by to say hello..and wish you a happy rest of summer and a magical autumn ahead! Hope all is well and shining bright in your realm!
    Kiki

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  13. Bittersweet isn't it. I have a snow globe I purchased some years ago and inside there is a sculpture of an angel lifting a small bird into flight. On the base it reads "There are two lasting things we give our children, roots and wings" It seems are have given her both beautifully.

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  14. Alina!!! Hugs my friend...thankyou for your lovely visits..and beautful words..you touch my heart! Wishing you a gorgeous Autumn and much magic always! Bright Blessings to you and yorus..and little Abby!
    PS; I gota puppy now too..yay!

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  15. thinking of you and sending much love & hugs. x x x

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  16. Hope all is well with you lovely girl. I miss you! xx

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  17. So happy to have found your blog! This post is very close to my heart...I, too, have recently become an "empty nester", and it's such a bittersweet time. Hugs to you!
    Barbara

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  18. Hello,
    I visited your blog today - I saw you on 'Too Cute Things.' Purple is a glorious color, and it is one of my favorites. I even had a room decorated in purple at my old house. I was scrolling down and noticed the picture of the girl with the roses. She is exquisite. I see that you have a gypsy heart. I, too, have always been a bit of a gypsy. My daughter loves Alice in Wonderland. In fact, she did a post about it recently. We just started a new blog, and we would love it if you could visit us and follow. I would really enjoy coming back to visit with you. Your photos are so unique and wonderful, and I am leaving here today with a smile. I hope to hear from you, and have a sweet day.
    ~Sheri at Red Rose Alley

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  19. Oh, I forgot to mention...your HEADER IS GORGEOUS!
    ~Sheri at Red Rose Alley

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  20. I know what you're feeling - the last one of mine just moved out too. Thank you for following Red Rose Alley, and I will back to visit with you often.
    ~Sheri at Red Rose Alley

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Albert Schweitzer said "In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit" I thank you all!