In When Women Were Birds (one of my favourite books) Terry Tempest Williams writes: It is the province of mothers to preserve the myth that we are unburdened with our own problems. Placed in a circle of immunity, we carry only the crises of those we love. We mask our needs as the needs of others. If ever there was a story without a shadow, it would be this: that we as women exist in direct sunlight only.
Maggie, I just left that country a week ago, returning to my home in Windermere, Florida just last night. It was hard leaving, we had just had a wonderful gathering of family and friends in Brisbane celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary. The trip included a visit back to my family home south of Cloncurry, and I just opened your email to the astonishing sight of what I'm pretty sure is one of my favorite places - possibly Julie & Katie took you to the caves? I so love your writing about Tasmania, but this country still holds my heart and I am delighted you have seen it!
I woke this morning and decided it was a morning for slow, sitting in the sun with choccy lab and a Dilmah Earl Grey in fine China tea cup. I thought to myself, ‘all I need now is an article by Maggie to read’. Opened my email and there it was. Ahhhhh ..
I can’t wait for your new book. *excited happy little clap*
Thank you for bringing breath, joy and tangible glimpses of real dust-earth life to my suburban days.
Being so familiar with the backdrop of Broncs and Big skies I was particularly keen to see how Maggie would write about her experience. It is such a different environment to her Tasmania. And I understood her connection at the same time, to where she travelled . Maggie you nailed it to the point of a lump in my throat and wet cheeks. For you … and abit for me. 🥰😢🤎
Oh Maggie. My heart. It really needed those words today, maybe always on mothers. My throat feels choked. I feel I must make some peace too. It can only ever be good, thank you - Sandra
Bull Rides and Rodeos are part of life in North Queensland and I understand your trepidation when your son was participating!! Such a different world from the temperate climate of Tasmania and a pleasure to read as always. Loved Where the Crawdads Sing.
Amazing. Beautiful. Here’s me in urban Edinburgh, rehearsing in a basement, still freaked out by the heat…and transported to an awesome world. Thank you……
Thank you once again for a stimulating read. I’m always excited when I click on the links to stories I have not read. Being a mother can be challenging when we let go of those so called “apron strings” and watch the growing up adventures.
Maggie, I just left that country a week ago, returning to my home in Windermere, Florida just last night. It was hard leaving, we had just had a wonderful gathering of family and friends in Brisbane celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary. The trip included a visit back to my family home south of Cloncurry, and I just opened your email to the astonishing sight of what I'm pretty sure is one of my favorite places - possibly Julie & Katie took you to the caves? I so love your writing about Tasmania, but this country still holds my heart and I am delighted you have seen it!
Angela
I woke this morning and decided it was a morning for slow, sitting in the sun with choccy lab and a Dilmah Earl Grey in fine China tea cup. I thought to myself, ‘all I need now is an article by Maggie to read’. Opened my email and there it was. Ahhhhh ..
I can’t wait for your new book. *excited happy little clap*
Thank you for bringing breath, joy and tangible glimpses of real dust-earth life to my suburban days.
Have a fab week Maggie!
Being so familiar with the backdrop of Broncs and Big skies I was particularly keen to see how Maggie would write about her experience. It is such a different environment to her Tasmania. And I understood her connection at the same time, to where she travelled . Maggie you nailed it to the point of a lump in my throat and wet cheeks. For you … and abit for me. 🥰😢🤎
Gosh I feel this so deeply, both my boys planning extended adventures in the wild. I’m proud, excited, terrified and grief stricken all at once.
Oh Maggie. My heart. It really needed those words today, maybe always on mothers. My throat feels choked. I feel I must make some peace too. It can only ever be good, thank you - Sandra
Bull Rides and Rodeos are part of life in North Queensland and I understand your trepidation when your son was participating!! Such a different world from the temperate climate of Tasmania and a pleasure to read as always. Loved Where the Crawdads Sing.
Just gorgeous. As a mother of a grown up boy who I raised to be an “independent doer”. This struck a chord.
Amazing. Beautiful. Here’s me in urban Edinburgh, rehearsing in a basement, still freaked out by the heat…and transported to an awesome world. Thank you……
Thank you once again for a stimulating read. I’m always excited when I click on the links to stories I have not read. Being a mother can be challenging when we let go of those so called “apron strings” and watch the growing up adventures.
Maggie,
Seriously gorgeous lines:
There is no place I want to be less than watching my son in his first go competing in the open saddle bronc.
…the stars are a superhighway above my head.
Our chat fades and we feel our insignificance, the fleeting nature of life.
Up on that ridgeline I sit between the shadowless woman and the freedom of flight.
Thank you, J.