tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9107151958453669111.post4743146461771869771..comments2024-03-28T14:45:34.423-04:00Comments on 37 Paddington: Kingston Diary37paddingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12400464105403622384noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9107151958453669111.post-37843392925314745462014-01-07T22:35:12.537-05:002014-01-07T22:35:12.537-05:00I shared this on my Facebook -- I hope you don'...I shared this on my Facebook -- I hope you don't mind. You blew me away, Angella. Good lord...I can't believe how beautiful this was.SJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14174193133138897712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9107151958453669111.post-83373921111285303832014-01-07T14:25:56.248-05:002014-01-07T14:25:56.248-05:00What a haunting and beautiful piece. I imagine it ...What a haunting and beautiful piece. I imagine it might be difficult for your young daughter to hear these words, but what a gift to both of them. I often wish I had heard more of my grandmothers' true words before they died. Their stories die with them, and I wish I had gathered more truths. I agree with Elizabeth, that the intimacy and love between your family is precious and unique. And the traveling quote just takes my breath away. It is so true. A blessing and a curse, I think. But I am so happy you have found your city, your home. So very much wisdom here for me to ponder. Vesuvius At Homehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02783271096885148080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9107151958453669111.post-52012323611519654512014-01-07T00:48:14.803-05:002014-01-07T00:48:14.803-05:00This post moved me over and over, but I was floore...This post moved me over and over, but I was floored in particular by the description of your mother and your daughter sleeping together. What your mother said to your daughter was wild, too, but I just think it's so special that your children are so attached to your mother that they would do something so intimate as to sleep alongside her. Your whole family -- how you love one another, tolerate one another and hold each other -- is so beautiful, Angella. While I know how difficult this time is and will continue to be and understand your dissociation and floaty feelings, I have faith that you WILL process it at some future time. Now, you are as present as one can imagine. Thank you for sharing these snapshots. Elizabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03313726816776097840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9107151958453669111.post-36938319708396048702014-01-06T18:37:10.112-05:002014-01-06T18:37:10.112-05:00What Ellen said struck me to the core- you are in ...What Ellen said struck me to the core- you are in the midst of some of the absolute most emotional situations I can imagine. I have no idea how you're managing to keep your head above water and yet, you are. Of course you feel disconnected- you couldn't possibly stay within yourself all the time. You would quite literally explode. The memories, the reality of your mother's path, the emotions at seeing old friends in the flesh and the emotions at seeing your daughter with your mother. How it breaks my heart with something powerful to think of them sleeping together. What a gift to both of them! <br />Oh Angella- woman, woman, WOMAN! It's going to take some time to integrate all of this but for now, just keep on keeping your head above that water. Hold on to your husband, your children, your friends, your relatives. Ask for help if you need it. Breathe in that beauty. <br />I am loving you. Ms. Moonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09776404747858099919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9107151958453669111.post-27933016170143640952014-01-06T16:49:49.386-05:002014-01-06T16:49:49.386-05:00I enjoyed reading your beautiful post and am so gr...I enjoyed reading your beautiful post and am so grateful you are sharing your journey, family, homeland and thoughts with us. I love that your friends saw you then as the photographer and writer you are now. <br /><br />Your mother's words are so heartbreaking, and I'm sure your presence and your daughter's is such a comfort to her.<br /> I tried to imagine what would be worse, a sharp mind in a broken body or a broken mind in a healthy body, or both broken. In my family, the women get the second or third choice only which is its own special heartache.<br /><br />I have been wrecked by my love/hate relationship with my homeland and the fact that the place I ran from has exerted its pull on me for three decades and yet every time I return I remember why I had to leave, and why the last few times I have gone I swear each time will be my last. It is very complicated, but my story is indeed that I cannot go home again, because the home I remember existed only in the paradigm I created to survive there, or in the distorted memories of my childhood. So thank you. It is cathartic for me to read of your journey back to a place and people that you love, to rediscover your friends and to share in the healthy love and relationships of your friends and family. <br /><br />I imagine I understand how New York beckoned you, and that you had to answer the call, but you can move so seamlessly and lovingly between both places that it gives me hope and makes me happy.<br /><br />Enjoy your bittersweet time there as best you can, and safe travels my friend. xo<br />xoMelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10114884092474969555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9107151958453669111.post-23878356690818437762014-01-06T14:57:02.337-05:002014-01-06T14:57:02.337-05:00This was just such a beautiful, consistently power...This was just such a beautiful, consistently powerful essay. Thank you for sharing all this. The last paragraph is perfection.Maggie Mayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14699674732274478502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9107151958453669111.post-87360601089265947512014-01-06T14:36:31.581-05:002014-01-06T14:36:31.581-05:00You and I are different people, you are more socia...You and I are different people, you are more social than I am (well, everybody is more social than I am, really) but for me it would be positively shattering to have to deal with old friends and memories and relatives in addition to witnessing my mother's increasing frailty. At least when I go visit my Mom, it's in a place where I've never lived and I can focus entirely on her (and myself). Honestly, I have several other relatives there who I don't always even bother to see, which I feel guilty about, but I do it anyway.<br /><br />Take care of yourself, my friend. Hug your mother as much as you can, even if it's so gentle it's more of a gesture than a hug. Then let your sweet husband hug you and give you strength.~ellen~https://www.blogger.com/profile/00315658592077559215noreply@blogger.com