I've been moving slowly lately, sort of mildly melancholy, even before the news of the terrorist attack in Manchester last night, which is just shattering my heart every time I think of it. A lot of people I know have been cleaning lately — straightening and organizing and dusting and fussing with the little things, and I have been the same, apparently trying to bring order to a world that feels so disordered and disorienting. I dusted off all of my earrings and twenty-year-old perfume bottles, got new low-light houseplants and some new pots, a little chair, moved the pictures. Moved them again. Sat in the chair and did nothing but sit for a minute. I'm trying to make a safe spot. I hold my daughter close under the galloping blades of the big ceiling fan — it was 90 degrees yesterday at bedtime, and we laid on top of the clean white sheets in the dim room, shades pulled against the evening sun and the world outside, talking about baby chicks and rising moons and silly songs and swimming lessons. It was almost too much to bear, her restless feet and her soft arms and her butterfly kisses and my weary heart, all jumbled and wilted from the heat and the news, and my throat felt so raw and sad I could not speak, so whispered. My heart and thoughts and prayers go out to all of the victims and their families and the first-responders of Manchester.
I wish you all peace. I wish you everything peaceful and soft today. XO, a
Children are our refuge from the storm. The world can be so horrible but children so pure and perfect.
Your pictures are so lovely. Your home is a safe refuse. Thanks for letting me visit via your lovely blog.
Emma
Resilience... the word, the meaning, keeps coming to me and I feel about to wear it out with use, with intention, with the hope that we can keep springing back from these harrowing events. Thank you for the wishes, for the glimpses of the world you create and nurture and share glimpses of. Every bit if beauty and grace, compassion and peaceful gestures gives me hope. I wish for you that every light, every joyful spark that you inspire will return to you ten fold.
Thank you for this, Alicia. I'll confess - it was too much for me when I heard about it, and I retreated into cynicism and distraction. The Instagram #mermaidtoast in particular. I just am so overloaded and cynical lately...and I hate that. So. Thank you for your soft words of beauty and openness.
The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face to shine upon you and give you peace. We must keep doing the things that bring peace and beauty to our area of influence, wherever that may be. Speak words of life and beauty. That's what you always do with your lovely posts. Thank you.
This world is so intense right now I am so grateful for the simple little things that bring us peace and strength to carry on - like baking and holding our children and putting good things and energy into the world. I do a fair amount of cooking to keep us full of strength to keep resisting. Thank you for the beauty of this blog. Your blog helps to keep the world a beauty filled place to help balance out the pain and horrible things happening.
What is that amazing strawberry filled pie?
My mother used to always say, "Brighten the corner where you are." That's what I do when the world seems too harsh. I turn to those everyday people and activities that make my heart hum that lil tune. You are doing that also, and from your little corner it radiates out to the rest of us. Some of us are the light, some of us are the mirror that reflects that light. You, Alicia, are both and I thank you for the glow. Peace be with you.
Oh yes, peace and softness...thanks for saying what I had been feeling...
It would seem prayer is the most appropriate and soothing utterance to the horror that took place in Manchester.. prayers
for the victims, their families and that grand nation...and ultimately, prayers for mankind to bring our world back to sanity
and brotherhood...May He bless and comfort us all...Thank you for
your beautiful words, Alicia.
Peace to all of you too. Very disturbing time
YES . . . oh my yes . .
"peaceful and soft . . ."
The worst happened, the best in the people who helped after . . .
The Manchester thing is just awful, it fills me with sadness - it's just not right and I hope we can all come together and unite. We have to stay strong.
I loved the photos in this post, they have a vintage feel to them which I like.
Chloe @ https://girllgonerogue.blogspot.co.uk/
It feels good to read your post after that tragedy.... I'm around the same things at my house, thought I'm even more into emptying than cleaning. Less stuff= less cleaning = more time! And a peaceful mind, which is precious at the moment. (Superb cake!)
Your pretty images and sweet little girl are a balm to my bruised soul. So, thank you. Dayle went fishing today and caught a nice big Spring Chinook... I stayed home and created a newsletter for the Friends of Multnomah Falls. I listened to the news and saw mother's begging for news of her missing daughter after the bombing. I cried. To target little girls enjoying a concert of their idol.. how low can you go? ::sigh:: So, thank you for sharing your safe world.. I needed that. ((hugs)), Teresa
Beautifully written Alicia. CJ xx
Your words are so beautiful, they have brought bring me comfort and calm on many occasions. I live on the East coast of England and only heard the news yesterday lunchtime and I could not believe it. I like so many others just can't believe that someone would target so many innocent children. I cried when I heard of the so many acts of kindness that happened afterwards. Parents helping other people's children, staying with them until their own parents could be there. NHS staff going to back to work on their time off to do what they could. So many things. That is what I hold onto, the vast majority of people are good and kind as are you. x
Thank you from London. This is why I keep coming to this bright corner. I have had my grand daughter staying with me. She knows nothing of this world, just kindness, love and beauty. I don't know how long children can be shielded these days. We do our best.
Thank you Alicia, you are such a kind person. Several friends' daughters were in the arena, thank goodness they all returned home safely, if traumatised. Your blog is a lovely calm place to visit.
Thank you for your words, especially the comment of Donnaray ,"brighten the corner where you are!"
Manchester was my home town and the tiny rural town of Tarlton along the road from my current Lancashire home has lost 2 children with others in hospital.
My nephews schoolfriend has traumatic injuries that she may not survive as does her father.
The battlefield is no longer a remote place...it walks amongst us and besides our children.
Thankyou for shareing your bright corner. I for one am sending possative love to those dreadful corners of the world, like Syria, where this kind of horror and destruction is commonplace.
Thank you for your gentle words, they calm my troubled soul. Fiona x
same here, nice pictures
Sweet Clover Meadow pictures are always balm to my soul!
Amidst the horror and loss...LIFE!!!! and that is what your photos ALWAYS reflect...LIFE...and LIVING...thank you for sharing...for reminding...
Thank you for your gentle words, and beautiful photos. They bring comfort and joy to my sad heart and weary mind. Thank you. <3
I'm so happy I checked in with you today. Beautiful blog and comments, thank you all so much, you've warmed my heart!