Freya, l so appreciate these words, “…ancestors we chose…” and that for you, Emily Dickinson is among yours chosen.
I understand. She was the six-times-great cousin of my mother, named Emily after her. I was adopted, so does that make Emily Dickinson any less my ancestor? I don’t think so.
I grew up hearing all about our Emily, reading, memorizing her poetry, many books given me by my favorite cousin, Vernez, with her artsy handwriting filling up an inside front page, reminding me that Emily Dickinson and I were connected now and forever, just as she—a blood cousin—was too. What a gift.
Reading how you truly appreciate the life and writing of Emily, urged me to thank you for sharing your journey to her home, with your photos to help visualize and reading your own poetic dedication of what it meant to write in her room, walk inside and outside her home, surrounded by the majestic old oaks—with stories of their own—I just feel certain.
Melissa--how incredible to be related and to have that legacy in your family. I wholeheartedly believe in chosen ancestors, and the relationships we have to them--their influence on our lives is so strong and continuous, once we find them. I'm in awe of your growing up with Emily's poetry and your family memories of her work and life--thank you so much for sharing this with me. Connections with readers, like you, is honestly what gives me so much joy in writing--to read others' words, and find shared mutual loves and experiences. And I agree--those trees have so many stories within their roots and branches. They were so beautiful. Thank you so so much for writing and sharing your experience of our common chosen ancestor--those connections feel like the oak's branches themselves, forking and splitting into new but combined and similar lives/experiences that continue on.🌳💜
Thank you for acknowledging my words, Freya…I’m so happy we share our Emily’s poetry, life, oak trees and can spread the joy. You are a beautiful writer and I look forward to your posts, experiences, insights. There is no end to teaching—and learning.🌻
Freya, l so appreciate these words, “…ancestors we chose…” and that for you, Emily Dickinson is among yours chosen.
I understand. She was the six-times-great cousin of my mother, named Emily after her. I was adopted, so does that make Emily Dickinson any less my ancestor? I don’t think so.
I grew up hearing all about our Emily, reading, memorizing her poetry, many books given me by my favorite cousin, Vernez, with her artsy handwriting filling up an inside front page, reminding me that Emily Dickinson and I were connected now and forever, just as she—a blood cousin—was too. What a gift.
Reading how you truly appreciate the life and writing of Emily, urged me to thank you for sharing your journey to her home, with your photos to help visualize and reading your own poetic dedication of what it meant to write in her room, walk inside and outside her home, surrounded by the majestic old oaks—with stories of their own—I just feel certain.
Melissa--how incredible to be related and to have that legacy in your family. I wholeheartedly believe in chosen ancestors, and the relationships we have to them--their influence on our lives is so strong and continuous, once we find them. I'm in awe of your growing up with Emily's poetry and your family memories of her work and life--thank you so much for sharing this with me. Connections with readers, like you, is honestly what gives me so much joy in writing--to read others' words, and find shared mutual loves and experiences. And I agree--those trees have so many stories within their roots and branches. They were so beautiful. Thank you so so much for writing and sharing your experience of our common chosen ancestor--those connections feel like the oak's branches themselves, forking and splitting into new but combined and similar lives/experiences that continue on.🌳💜
Thank you for acknowledging my words, Freya…I’m so happy we share our Emily’s poetry, life, oak trees and can spread the joy. You are a beautiful writer and I look forward to your posts, experiences, insights. There is no end to teaching—and learning.🌻
🙏💜
"refuse the wicking
downward pull"
Along with our relatives the trees, aren't we all doing just that very thing.
Splendid poetry Freya, thank you for sharing.
🙏💜
Omg soo cool! Her actual room! Wow! Love this.
It was kind of surreal, and beautiful. 💜