Thursday, July 11, 2013

I knew even before I opened my eyes

Even before I opened my eyes, I knew.

Yes, being back in my old home territory meant I knew, even before I opened my eyes in the morning, that it was foggy outside—salty, gauzy, clammy, foggy.


Snuggled under blankets, I awoke to fog horns signaling back and forth, and I knew that up and down the Sound, ships were navigating with care.

Being home again meant I knew which fog horn belonged to the ferry.

For eleven years now I have lived inland, far from fog horns, but I have heard them nevertheless—or so I thought. Many a time I’ve heard a train horn wail in the distance and somewhere deep in the back corner of my mind I’ve assumed it was a fog horn—only to “come to” a few seconds later and realize I was hearing a train. To paraphrase the old saying, “You can take the girl from the sea, but you can’t take the sea from the girl.”

What about you? Have you had similar home-related experiences? How can you paraphrase this original old proverb to describe your life? “You can take a boy out of the country but you can’t take the country out of a boy.” (1938, “B. Baer” in Baer and Major)

Search for a place to use that in your memoir. Your readers will enjoy it. They'll fell they know you better.





4 comments:

  1. I remember for years I couldn't get the sound of the waves washing up against the shore. When I wasn't near it, my body ached for the sound. Every chance I would get, I would come back and make time on the shore. Even if it meant in the dark of the morning on a rainy or foggy day :-) I don't know why it affected me so as I grew up on the prairie, lol.

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  2. Joyful, I know exactly what you mean. During this family emergency, I am living on the beach, listening to the waves--the swish, the hush, the rhythm. I hope you get many opportunities to enjoy them nowadays.

    Oh, and I also love the fragrance of beach fires, specifically driftwood fires. The salt water gives them such a special aroma!

    Linda

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  3. Linda,
    You are incredibly encouraging! Our LORD uses you in the most profound ways...many of which you are unaware of! How wonderful!

    I see from your post that you are going through a trial. I'll lift you and yours before our Father.
    Would love to get re-connected.
    Love in the Lamb~
    Jess

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    1. Jess, thank you for the blessings your words send. I am humbled at what you have said, and deeply thankful if God is using me in some little ways. Thank you for your prayers. That means a great deal. My husband's mother fell and broke both hands so we are helping. Thanks for stopping by, Jess. You are a blessing!
      Linda

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