It seems that I am running behind on holidays and other matters. With the exception of my brother, we are a bit short of fathers in my immediate family and Father's Day trundles past without mindfulness. Because this reprint of an early post refers to a phrase my father used, I will let it be my card to all the fathers among us and what they have passed along that retains its value, its meaning. From August 20, 2008:
Where We Meet
My father was a writer. He treasured history, nature, words that had fallen from popular usage and the printed page. He would sometimes end a phone call or letter with, "Leave a note under the rock," which I always took to mean regardless of events, we would devise a way to be in touch.
Today, my second day of reading and responding to comments from kindred spirits met and unmet who have found this blog, I thought of the phrase which has stayed with me these many decades. What we are doing, as I interpret it, is leaving each other notes under the rock. As each one passes by, she picks up the message, reads it, adds whatever thoughts or images it has sparked and puts it back for the next pilgrim. And the words or their intention circle back to us, whether under the rock, over the wires or through simple telepathy. It took me some time to understand how a blog, unlovely as the word is, might enrich my life and expand my world and, I can only hope, allow me to do the same as I leave my rock-weighted note and walk away.
Posted by Marylinn Kelly at 7:30 PM
6 comments:
inge said...
as one of my new internet friends Kathryn Antyr says : " comments are like little package you leave at someones door "...
I like the image of leaving a note under a rock and comments on a blog leave the same feeling of being connected.
I learned commenting thanks to Michelle Ward, Tim Holtz, Kathryn and I'm so happy that I did, cause I made closer contacts with some people I've never heard or seen !
greets
Inge
August 21, 2008 12:31 AM
sf said...
Marylinn, my love!
I am so glad to find "you" here, thanks to the comment on my Colin post. I'll be back soon.
all love,
sarah
August 21, 2008 7:16 PM
Patti said...
I am honored that you visited my blog - it's so nice to hear from you. I love your idea of the note under a rock. I've had the same reaction to blogging (and as writers, we would probably choose different words:) in terms of the many blessings it has channeled through me and, hopefully, on to others, as I try to leave more notes than I read.
Congrats on your new stamp line; Stampington is a regular haunt so I'll be watching!
blessings and hugs,
patti
August 22, 2008 11:48 AM
Stamp Your Heart Out said...
Thank you for sharing these wonderful thoughts with us. I've added a link to your blog from the SYHO blog, so our friends can enjoy your words.
Michele
August 24, 2008 8:01 AM
Linda N said...
at 9:10 pm CDT, I'd not heard of you...now I'm contemplating leaving a notepad and pencil next to a rock by the back door. Thanks for your beautiful and inspiring writing.
Linda N.
September 9, 2008 7:32 PM
Marylinn Kelly said...
To Linda N -
Thank you for your note. I didn't know how to reach you. Hope you come back and find this. Marylinn
September 13, 2008 2:09 PM
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10 comments:
Oh, Marylinn. It's perfect. It's what we do, it's what a blog is, the wonderful phrase of your father's capturing a constant, loving and precious way to communicate that seems as if it would always be present--and solid--words and feelings and support can't fly off into space, or get lost or stolen. Other people's lives are always waiting for whenever you come by to read, and fold up a note to add. xoxo
Melissa - Thank you...and you notice this was written nearly 3 years ago, when I had no idea what awaited me as I grew more committed to the act and community of blogging. It really is the note under the rock, left when we have a moment, are in the vicinity. How much we know, at times, without knowing it. xo
leaving a note under the rock seems a bit more directed and personal than a message in a bottle, but some of the hazards of the unfamiliar journey remain
Best wishes, Isabel
This reminds me of your post about us all being tethered to a rock, a home base. I still think of that often - wandering off, but never too far, always able to come back.
xo
Isabel - At least, one hopes, the rock is a bit more reliable. We have, too often, seen Blogger go astray. Life is uncertain. My best back to you.
Rachel - The wandering away can happen so quickly, without noticing. Having the lifeline cut in deep space, adrift in the void. I am grateful for the sturdy rope and the reassuring hands. xo
Good to know that this was three years ago.
Always thought that it's the immediacy of commenting that makes blogging worthwhile. Communication by leaving messages under a rock. I like the image.
I found my fellowers;)and band mates through their comments. Glad I did.
Antares Cryptos - I think it is the commenting, period, whenever it may happen. Early on I had not signed up for email notification of comments, so did not have a way to keep track. Once I learned about replying to comments...My best hope is to have an element of timelessness. The rock seems to work.
Thank you for your notes left under a rock, Marylinn. Comments are such a kindness, an offer of self, of kinship, of witness. I don't take them or granted. And how wonderfully your father captured it, even before there was such a thing as a blog!
Angella - I suppose we have always tried to find ways to communicate with each other, no matter the circumstances. And I agree, comments are all that you've described. Never taken for granted. xo
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