Woodland Interior
Henri Harpignies (1819-1916)
oil on panel, 1901.
The leaves were rich and gold this autumn. I waded in a foam raking them, and their susurrous around my feet was like breaking waves upon a shore.
I have begun to read the months of accumulated gmail. As I said Wednesday, blogging belonged to Before -- with all its joy and hope -- and I have been frozen in After.
Thank you again and again for all your lovely messages of comfort and concern. I can assure you they have no time stamp. They mean even more to me now, to discover in humble gratitude that this House I thought was empty and desolate... Is not.
A pernicious thread running through bookish blogs is the claim of a cold-hearted, brittle, commercial avidity among agents and publishers. Sometimes these claims are more than true, though I resent on principle the damn-all of their sweeping generalities.
However, to my profound astonishment, among my messages was a personal email from Miss Snark. I was only one of thousands who posted on her famous blog - yet somehow she noticed and remembered and wrote. And I will treasure her warm words of sympathy and comfort to the end of my days.
So, as far as I am concerned, the bitter cynics can stuff it.
My little one returned home from her year of deployment in Afghanistan at the beginning of August, weary to the very bone, but safe and sound.
Friends. Family. Much is left.
24 comments:
Huzzah! Bernita is home!
So glad to see you back and well, despite everything. I know everyone has missed your presence and your lovely, lyrical prose.
Big hugs from Ohio!
Welcome home to your little one. It is because of their service the rest of us can sit around in robes and slippers blogging. Her return will add comfort for you in the cold winter days ahead.
We came to sweep out the cobwebs occasionally, and to reminisce as we sat on the porch, peering down the road and hoping.
So glad to hear your little one is safely home.
Starving, thank you so much for your lovely welcome.
And your service too, Bernard.
The night her plane landed I had the best sleep I'd had in a year.
I'm glad she came home safe!
That's wonderful she's home! Is this it, or will she be deployed again?
I'm so glad she'll be home for the holidays! The blogosphere has been lonely without you.
That's a sweet word picture, Raine!
Charles and Natasha,thank you. It looks like they will keep her in country for a couple of years.
Wonderful, Bernita. Glad your little one is safe at home. Glad you're back home too. :-D We've missed you and we love you. Welcome back. ;-)
Such a wonderful gift, to have your daughter home again, safe. We missed your lush prose and words of wisdom in your absence, but the important thing is you took what you needed for yourself.
My Demon, dear Written, I don't deserve such lovely words - but thank you.
It's wonderful to have you back, hon. [hugz] And I'm so glad your daughter came home safely. :D
Angie
Welcome back to the blogosphere, Bernita! And welcome home to your daughter!
When it comes to hitting the nail on the head, Miss Snark's heels win out over any hammer.
On a cheerier note, your blog has stood at the head of my bookmarks, relatively unused, for some time now. Clicking the button has the same feel of trying on a pair of jeans you haven't worn for 20 years and finding that, not only do they still fit, but they don't split when you leap in the air to acknowledge the fact.
Hurrah for all returns!
I have kept an eye on your blog, waiting for you to return. I'm so glad to see you coming out the other side and how wonderful to have your daughter home.
Angie, thank you.
It's been a really rough deployment for her, but her eyes have lost that peeled-back look they all have on return.
Bunny,bless you. I won't feel I'm really back until I can resume my rounds to all your blogs.
Whirl, you are a gem without flaw.Truly.
Suzanne, that is a fabulous photo!
And I am still flabbergasted - and deeply touched - that in the middle of your busy lives that you all kept watch.
So very glad to see you back, Bernita!
You're pretty darned special, Bernita! :D
Welcome back, both to you, Bernita, and to your little one. I remember coming home a long time ago - it was so good to not be scared any more.
Now we've got some cozy days and nights to look forward to, with lots of cider and cookies and the scent of firewood. And lots of Art to look at, too.
(I always liked looking at Art. And the pictures weren't bad, eother!)
Bernita, welcome back! I can't tell you how happy I am that you are back. I missed immensely your beautiful, wise presence.
And I'm so glad that your little one is back, and safe and sound. Much is left, indeed...
Thank you, Archer. So sorry about your father.It's very hard.
No, I am not, Steve, but the people who visit here certainly are.
"(I always liked looking at Art. And the pictures weren't bad, eother!)"
Hoot!
Kate, I've engaged to have a wood stove put in my old fireplace for that purpose.
Oh, Vesper, thank you. I've been slow and a bit timid about visiting but read your excellent Halloween piece. Your vivid prose goes from strength to strength.
Welcome back, m'dear. Would that I had a mug of something warm and rich or a glass of something bright and sparkling to give you!
Hi Bernita! Lovely to have you here once again.
Robyn, you gave me a flagon of kindness.
Hello McKoala! Thank you.
seems google ate my post in here... again! GRRRRR
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