Who: Frances Anne Colborn Soule; that's me! What: This is a test page for my "Madeleines" journey to visit my youth.
Why? Remembrance of Things Past
Where: Ann Arbor, MI, the little, tree-shaded college town where I grew up.
When: Departing San Jose, CA on Monday, September 14th; returning on Thursday, September 24th.
I plan to include photos in this daily journal, and travelogue descriptions as well as ruminations on this (for me) fascinating experiment in recapturing memory and getting acquainted with the girl who became the woman I am today. My guess is that I will know her better now than she knew herself in those formative years. I intend to take copious notes and write brief essays in my private notebooks; my goal is to build up a record and a much better understanding of the influences and guidance that formed me there, from the age of seven years to the day of my departure ("Forever!!") when I was 19. Forever is a very long time; it's been 54 years since I uttered that oath, but I am very ready to take it back now. I am in the process of writing my first memoir of that time when I was being launched upon the great sea of life. My promise to myself is that I will be as fully truthful in accessing my memories and in my assessments of them, as I have heretofore found myself incapable of being: because the only memoir worth my writing would be one that is clear-eyed and honest to the woman I have become at the age of 73. However, dear readers, you will not be subjected to the brunt of my unbridled honesty in this blog! This is for your enjoyment (if you should enjoy the tale), and as a souvenir of a journey that has been waiting for me for over 50 years. My first actual travelogue entry will be posted next Monday, if all goes well – labeled with some cutesy title that will indicate its content, I'm sure. Wish me "Bon voyage," my dears.
9 comments:
Bon voyage, Mama Dear! (And I have to say I don't care for the new font, it's too light, looks like typewriter letters.)
xo
Teri
I agree about the font, I prefer the usual one, much easier to read.
What an exicting journey! I'd like to do that someday, if I can only remember where I'm from...
It has been done, folks; new font and layout.
I'm still seeing a much larger font on this new page than on the previous pages, but I'm ok with that. I'll be reading the blog through a reader on my cell and a Notes (bleh) rss feed reader, anyway, which I think obliterates your design choices.
I hope we'll all be able to read this memoir. If you're too honest, maybe you don't want us to, but I for one will want to read it even if it details what an ridiculous brat I was/am :-P
Oh, yeah, and I'm with Julie - if I ever write it all down, it will have to be a work of fiction, since I have big blank spots where crises management obliterated memories, and I can't guarantee that what I do remember actually has anything to do with reality.
Oh, and I'm sensing some self-judgment about your writing style, which I'm pretty sure Natalie says to knock off doing :-)
With so many critics in the world, why criticize yourself? I read everything you write with love and respect. I'm pretty sure my sibs would all agree with that. Write with love, compassion and kindness to yourself.
We may not know who you've been, but we know who you are to us.
BUON VIAGGIO MAMA!!!!
Have a wonderful wander down memory lane - I always think 'you can't go back' in the sense that the place you left, and YOU , have changed so much there's no place to go 'back' to like a time machine movie moment. But you'll go somewhere, and it will be great, I am sure! enjoy the soda fountain and the memories therein...woo hoo!
Love you
Leenie
Wow, Souffle's post was beautiful and perfect! (The one two above this one.) Brava, Souffle, for saying what we all do feel.
I have a question, Ma, which you may or may not want to answer. Why did you (adamantly?) vow you would never return to Ann Arbor? Was it so bad? Or was there an event that triggered this dramatic sentiment?
Love,
Trees
PS - when do you depart, tomorrow? Can light a lampatka!
Fran dear, I have the fondest feelings for you as you embark on this adventure. I've revisited some of the scenes of my childhood but not been particularly reflective about them. Perhaps I have this to look forward to....
Love, Sarah
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