And although I have grown used to their quick arrivals and unwelcome departures, this time, the transition is too sharp and too complete.
The tree comes down, the house is tidied and off they go. My living space is suddenly too orderly, too immaculate -- stripped of their spirit.
I look around, confused. Wasn’t it just a minute ago that the room was fragrant with pine and cluttered with bright lights and cool wit? Didn’t I just have to nudge someone to move over and make room on the couch? Why isn’t there a half finished Klarbrunn (our beloved local fizzy water) in the fridge? And why isn’t anyone putting out plates of food for us to snack on while I fix dinner?
Abruptly empty.
And cold.
Inside and out.
Lake Mendota, slowly freezing over
What you wrote about your daughters is exactly how I feel when my kids come home and then have to leave to go back to their homes. I feel a kindred spirit with you. Your daughters are beautiful just like your photos.
ReplyDeleteNina,
ReplyDeleteA belated Merry Christmas and an early Happy New Year. Your photos are beautiful and you really capture that quiet and sort of sadness that comes after our adult children return to their lives. It is such a gift to have time with them over the holidays.
Ann
Having had a ridiculously busy month I've just now read all your Brittany posts. What an absolute delight! The images are stuck in my mind, in a pleasant way. As I drifted off to sleep last night I kept seeing those beautiful cobblestone streets of Dinan.
ReplyDeleteAnd now we end with this bittersweet post about the departure of your daughters. It hit home. My oldest has just sent all his college apps in and next year he'll be far away. I'm already grieving. Even though I'm enjoying every single minute with him and am paying close attention to all our little rituals and traditions everything is suffused with a kind of melancholy. Of course he'll be back but I suspect it will never be the same.
Thanks for your brilliant photos and for your pointed insight into the human condition. Happy New Year!
Louisa
A belated Merry Christmas! Have been away but catching up and enjoying your holiday pictures. Hope it was all wonderful.
ReplyDelete