I moved into a new home over the weekend, and to assert that it has been difficult to work during the process would be a gross understatement. While full of many blessings, moving is extraordinarily taxing on one’s time (and resources).
Beautifully written, Sarah. Amidst the truth of your words in these times, you most likely struck a nerve or two and certainly hearts; a poignant piece for sure. Paul and I did grow up in those yesteryear times and felt secure as children and teenagers. Communication with friends was riding our bikes over to see if they were home, calling them on the house phone, talking and seeing one another at school.; mustn’t forget the public pay phones. Or our kindly neighbors telling us, “your mother/daddy has been out calling you home for dinner.”
We felt safe. It wasn’t naïveté. It was freedom.
We are happy and relieved for you. Enjoy your new digs. 🙏🏻
I'm part of the last generation to grow up without a smartphone. I'm so grateful that I got to experience most of the things that you mention, and I consider it part of childhood. It's tragic that the young are being deprived now--ironically, deprived through excess.
Deprived of simplicity. Silence is now deafening to a modern person. The very people who say they 'want to save the earth' rarely spend any time listening to it or observing it in silence. They aren't part of the actual real world we actually really live in, they don't go far from their smart cities, so they not only never see any simplicity, they certainly don't go far enough to witness the vastness of it. Since they do not respect the silence or peace of anyone around them, they demand constant agitation, never contemplating anything at all beyond themselves. They are trained to see silence as 'violence' because when they enter into silence, their minds are agitated with all their worldly thoughts and emotions. If you found a moment of peace, enjoy it, who knows how long it will last. For me, there are merely a handful of these islands in life, and it isn't long before something comes to disturb it. But each time I arrive on such an island, it does remind me of childhood. Mindlessly sitting under the old apple tree, creating roads in the dirt for hours. It was the whole world under that tree, nothing else mattered. But something would come and it would disappear. The very thing that made that place an escape would come calling and remind me that peace was nothing but a temporary stay on a temporary island--making that place all the more treasured. I remember those days, no cellphones, no internet. Everyone probably has an apple tree in their childhood they wish they could get back to.
I have often thought the one thing we could provide the poor is safety from crime. Unfortunately, the liberals among us, are sympathetic to the plight of perpetrators of crime and are indifferent to the many poor who are trapped living with these miscreants.
Congratulations Sarah, it's always nice to move into a new home. I hope you have a peaceful neighborhood, with good people around you. God bless your new home.
I don't know where you moved, but perhaps some time you can explain, or maybe you have already, how someone from England ended up in Greensboro, at least at one point, and regardless. I like it there too, for example the Friendly Center, and generally the vibe and people, and it would perhaps even be my top choice in North Carolina and much of the South, but still . . . .
Beautifully written, Sarah. Amidst the truth of your words in these times, you most likely struck a nerve or two and certainly hearts; a poignant piece for sure. Paul and I did grow up in those yesteryear times and felt secure as children and teenagers. Communication with friends was riding our bikes over to see if they were home, calling them on the house phone, talking and seeing one another at school.; mustn’t forget the public pay phones. Or our kindly neighbors telling us, “your mother/daddy has been out calling you home for dinner.”
We felt safe. It wasn’t naïveté. It was freedom.
We are happy and relieved for you. Enjoy your new digs. 🙏🏻
I'm part of the last generation to grow up without a smartphone. I'm so grateful that I got to experience most of the things that you mention, and I consider it part of childhood. It's tragic that the young are being deprived now--ironically, deprived through excess.
Deprived of simplicity. Silence is now deafening to a modern person. The very people who say they 'want to save the earth' rarely spend any time listening to it or observing it in silence. They aren't part of the actual real world we actually really live in, they don't go far from their smart cities, so they not only never see any simplicity, they certainly don't go far enough to witness the vastness of it. Since they do not respect the silence or peace of anyone around them, they demand constant agitation, never contemplating anything at all beyond themselves. They are trained to see silence as 'violence' because when they enter into silence, their minds are agitated with all their worldly thoughts and emotions. If you found a moment of peace, enjoy it, who knows how long it will last. For me, there are merely a handful of these islands in life, and it isn't long before something comes to disturb it. But each time I arrive on such an island, it does remind me of childhood. Mindlessly sitting under the old apple tree, creating roads in the dirt for hours. It was the whole world under that tree, nothing else mattered. But something would come and it would disappear. The very thing that made that place an escape would come calling and remind me that peace was nothing but a temporary stay on a temporary island--making that place all the more treasured. I remember those days, no cellphones, no internet. Everyone probably has an apple tree in their childhood they wish they could get back to.
Deprivation through overkill; I believe that’s an oxymoron. Glad you got to experience some of what we did. Those were the days.
Sarah - this is such wonderful new! We’ve been praying for this so we are thrilled for you. Congratulations!!
Thank you so much for your prayers and well wishes.
I have often thought the one thing we could provide the poor is safety from crime. Unfortunately, the liberals among us, are sympathetic to the plight of perpetrators of crime and are indifferent to the many poor who are trapped living with these miscreants.
Wow, with that picture of the frontage no wonder you made the move. Who’s your realtor and how did you find a castle with that marvelous natural moat?
Looks like a lot to maintain, though. Like how do you get enough shingles for all those roofs across in that small rowboat?🚣 🏰
Congratulations Sarah, it's always nice to move into a new home. I hope you have a peaceful neighborhood, with good people around you. God bless your new home.
G_d Bless and Congratulations on your new home.
I love that you found a nice, private home, as have I. Gifts from Heaven.
I don't know where you moved, but perhaps some time you can explain, or maybe you have already, how someone from England ended up in Greensboro, at least at one point, and regardless. I like it there too, for example the Friendly Center, and generally the vibe and people, and it would perhaps even be my top choice in North Carolina and much of the South, but still . . . .
Same P.O. Box?
Yes! Thanks for checking.
Hope it all comes together, Sarah.
Mind your back !
Anthony.