I love this so much! I read it this morning and then had to spend the day thinking about a moment in time that I would love to call back. It was right after High School and before going off to college in the US, I met up with some British friends who were traveling around South East Asia, Malaysia, Indonesia and Bali. It was common to do a GAP year there (I wish it was here!). Anyway, we traveled from place to place on buses with backpacks and made a destination decision when we woke up. No planning, no over thinking, we looked in our Lonely Planet guidebook and just picked a place, "Oh that looks interesting, let's go there!" and we did. One of my favorite destination was these small islands in Malaysia, where we stayed in tiny huts on the beach, no electricity, no running water, we bathed in the ocean and from a well (that was less fun since I am pretty sure a rat had died in it) but it was so liberating to be completely and utterly off the grid. Almost stranded and yet not quite. The food was surprisingly delicious and I got my diving certification there, and did the best dives of my life. I hadn't thought about that trip since I read your post that pushed me to dig into my memory bank. Thank you for that! Now I need to find the journals that I wrote during that time since I know I did keep them then.
Linzi, as always, this is beautifully written. I am thankful for your appreciation of your wonderful dad who loves you so much. He is indeed an exceptional guy. I’m so very thankful he and my sister found each other. And yes, the world needs more like him. I love that you see in Marsha her love of every stage of her life. It is one of her many gifts. Thanks so much for sharing your memories. I’m so glad to learn more about your earlier years. I love you. You also have many gifts and your writing is definitely one of them.
Perfect description of your dad. Safe, warm, calm, quiet. Nostalgia has always been a thing for me. My own as well as witnessing other people walk thru their memories. When I was little I would ask my grandma to “tell me stories”. She knew I meant I wanted to hear the true stories of her life and my dad’s life growing up. Last week my aunt sent me a plain wooden jewelry box with some of my grandmas old jewelry. But also highschool senior pictures of my mom and grandma. If only those photos could “tell me stories”. Of youth far removed but also reminiscent. My step dad recently went to his 50 year reunion. Amazing how time can stand still while also speeding by. Love your writing Linz!
Isn’t it remarkable? That’s the best way to put it — time standing still while speeding by. I love thinking about you going through those artifacts. It’s such a sacred act. Grateful to have a connection with you Tina. It means so much. And thank you for the reflection on my dad. 🥹
Wow. Although I was with you that weekend (except during your reunion festivities), I couldn’t have described it as eloquently as you have. You know how much I value reliving the past with the people I love and I’m grateful you do, too.
PS Thank you for sharing the picture of Queenie and me. Twelve Cockers (plus a litter of five puppies) later, I’m still a sucker for a Spaniel.
PPS Please remember, you’re scheduled to do my eulogy…
“A sucker for a spaniel” is what we’ll say about you. 😂 And many, many other nice things. And yes, I’ll be up to the task but hopefully I won’t need to write and deliver your eulogy for a very long time. Love you so much!
I love this so much! I read it this morning and then had to spend the day thinking about a moment in time that I would love to call back. It was right after High School and before going off to college in the US, I met up with some British friends who were traveling around South East Asia, Malaysia, Indonesia and Bali. It was common to do a GAP year there (I wish it was here!). Anyway, we traveled from place to place on buses with backpacks and made a destination decision when we woke up. No planning, no over thinking, we looked in our Lonely Planet guidebook and just picked a place, "Oh that looks interesting, let's go there!" and we did. One of my favorite destination was these small islands in Malaysia, where we stayed in tiny huts on the beach, no electricity, no running water, we bathed in the ocean and from a well (that was less fun since I am pretty sure a rat had died in it) but it was so liberating to be completely and utterly off the grid. Almost stranded and yet not quite. The food was surprisingly delicious and I got my diving certification there, and did the best dives of my life. I hadn't thought about that trip since I read your post that pushed me to dig into my memory bank. Thank you for that! Now I need to find the journals that I wrote during that time since I know I did keep them then.
Oh my gosh! That sounds absolutely magical. What an adventure! Was that a year-long trip? And yes, please find those journals!!
Linzi, as always, this is beautifully written. I am thankful for your appreciation of your wonderful dad who loves you so much. He is indeed an exceptional guy. I’m so very thankful he and my sister found each other. And yes, the world needs more like him. I love that you see in Marsha her love of every stage of her life. It is one of her many gifts. Thanks so much for sharing your memories. I’m so glad to learn more about your earlier years. I love you. You also have many gifts and your writing is definitely one of them.
This was so lovely to read. Thank you for sharing such sweet sentiments. I’m so lucky to have my Auntie Diane!
Perfect description of your dad. Safe, warm, calm, quiet. Nostalgia has always been a thing for me. My own as well as witnessing other people walk thru their memories. When I was little I would ask my grandma to “tell me stories”. She knew I meant I wanted to hear the true stories of her life and my dad’s life growing up. Last week my aunt sent me a plain wooden jewelry box with some of my grandmas old jewelry. But also highschool senior pictures of my mom and grandma. If only those photos could “tell me stories”. Of youth far removed but also reminiscent. My step dad recently went to his 50 year reunion. Amazing how time can stand still while also speeding by. Love your writing Linz!
Isn’t it remarkable? That’s the best way to put it — time standing still while speeding by. I love thinking about you going through those artifacts. It’s such a sacred act. Grateful to have a connection with you Tina. It means so much. And thank you for the reflection on my dad. 🥹
Wow. Although I was with you that weekend (except during your reunion festivities), I couldn’t have described it as eloquently as you have. You know how much I value reliving the past with the people I love and I’m grateful you do, too.
PS Thank you for sharing the picture of Queenie and me. Twelve Cockers (plus a litter of five puppies) later, I’m still a sucker for a Spaniel.
PPS Please remember, you’re scheduled to do my eulogy…
“A sucker for a spaniel” is what we’ll say about you. 😂 And many, many other nice things. And yes, I’ll be up to the task but hopefully I won’t need to write and deliver your eulogy for a very long time. Love you so much!