These photos were taken on an evening walk we took weeks ago, but with the start of our school year this month, I am only just now returning to them.
There is a poetry component to one of the classes I am teaching this year at our homeschool co op. While I’ve always enjoyed poetry, I’ve never studied it beyond a bit in high school (maybe college too?) literature classes. Either way, I don’t remember much of anything. I will be learning alongside the children in my class this year. Thankfully, the book I was provided with to teach from is quite wonderful and simple to implement.
This week, the element of poetry that we discussed was images and the way that poets use them to appeal to the reader’s senses. Within my teacher’s guide, as I studied the chapter, I was struck by a quote attributed to the philosopher, Hans Gadamer. His words touched on something that I feel deeply, most especially in recent years.
“…our fundamental experience as beings subject to time is that all things escape us, that all the events of our lives fade more and more, so that at best they glow with an almost unreal shimmer in the most distant recollection.”
I can only hope that I will remember what it felt like to see Elsie’s little hand reaching backwards to me as we walked, or the glow of the blazing sunset on my girls as they snuggled her on the shore that evening. Maybe it will be a poem that brings back some small piece of the shimmering memory of that day…
As always, you capture those wonderful family moments! Thank you for sharing stories with photos.
I love the second last picture – overwhelmed by so much love <3 😀
If you haven’t already, read ‘How To Read A Poem: And Fall in Love with Poetry’ and ‘Poet’s Choice” by Edward Hirsch. Wonderful books that deepened my understanding and love for poetry….
Your ability to weave together personal experiences with the essence of poetry is truly inspiring. The quote from Hans Gadamer perfectly encapsulates the bittersweet nature of memories, and it’s wonderful to see how you’re exploring these themes with your students. The imagery of Elsie’s little hand and the glowing sunset is so vivid; it invites us to cherish those fleeting moments. I’m excited to see how this journey into poetry unfolds for both you and the children—it’s sure to spark some lovely creativity!
My mom just sent us all an email asking us to recall specific memories from our childhood as she can’t remember anything. I told her not to worry, I recall memories and stories to my children all the time about my childhood. It is all there, being passed down. You don’t have to hold onto it all yourself. A lot of things will be forgotten but THEY will remember the most important and with 9 kids and now grandkids, between them all, nothing will be lost. 🙂 (I am counting on that myself!) I love how there is so much knitting laying about!
Sono commossa, grazie Ginny!
Nothing better than a baby’s toothy grin! I’ve read your blog from the beginning and have been inspired again and again. Just in case you were wondering if this blog thing is worthwhile, it is. Yours is a ministry of sorts not unlike Soul Gardening Journal which I think I learned about from you many years ago as well and am thrilled is back in print and a book coming out. So many good things to be shared. Thank you!
Beauty in both your words and in the photographs of your family outing. Thank you.
Oh your granddaughter is absolutely adorable! 🩷🩷she’s growing so fast! Such beautiful photos. Thanks for sharing!
About seven or eight years ago I bought four skeins of yarn from you: two brownish, one orange/peach/, one light cream/orangish/brown and and a mini skein set of shades of orangish. All this time I have been admiring them but it is time to knit. At the time you were suggesting a shawl. I am thinking a color fade vest. Ideas? Do you have more of the brownish skein?
Hi Paulette! I looked up your orders to remind myself of what yarns you bought… The mini skeins are fingering weight, so I would probably buy a neutral shade-maybe natural/undyed to go with them and either knit a striped shawl or a vest if that is what you prefer. You definitely will need additional yarn to make a larger project. If you email me I can send you a link to that specific yarn so you can get the same base from the mill that I bought that yarn from. As for the two speckled dk skeins, I would use those for hats or fingerless mitts and I’d probably knit a small shawl with the two brown dk weight skeins. I remember those being so pretty! I love the browns…
Having a grandchild opens up another whole new dimension of love. I love my children beyond words, but it wasn’t until our grandchildren came along that I understood what love is. Enjoy the journey, Ginny.
So good to hear from you Ginny. Thank you for sharing this beautiful time. (And the poetry book is wonderful.)
I must have missed when you talked about your granddaughter. Whose child is she? If you don’t want to answer, that’s ok.
She’s my oldest son Seth’s (and his wife Phoebe’s) daughter!
Elsie doesn’t even mind you pointing a camera at her — “What are you doing with that thing, Grandma?” These pictures are priceless; hopefully you will have them to look back on when your memory fades. <3