Monday morning dawned fair in Wilmington. I sat on the porch of my son, Tres’ cottage, near downtown in the first hours of light, in the company of his kittens, “Hank” and “Jolene”. There were only a few folks out, compared to the week end mornings. Only a few dogs got walked today, and I only saw one stroller. Folks were leaving in a hurried state and I listened to more than a few dogs moan pitifully, the first few minutes of their owners’ departure. Tres had to leave too. Mondays change everything.
Will, Jenny and I were leaving by noon and so I did not tarry long on the porch-I had things to do. The last few days had been busy and I did not feel well, either. Tres had “waited on me hand and foot” and I wanted to do something for him. I grabbed a pair of scissors and took to cutting some of those “southern vines”, I complain of often. I had noticed several thorned vines in a camilla and the hateful “Virginia creeper” invading the jasmine. I pulled a few weeds and then commenced to sweeping the porch. If I’d have had just a few hours, Tres would have come home to scrubbed floors and a cooked lunch. Instead, he will find a letter on his pillow, declaring him a noble son and brother. . .and all sorts of other endearments, love mom.
We left Wilmington right on time. I told myself, Thanksgiving was not so awful long, away, but waving good bye to Brant, was sad anyway. I took some comfort, that he would have plenty of rutabagas for the next couple of days. He just loves rutabagas.
Lyla is a funny little companion to travel with. If we had to wait long at a stoplight, she would say ” oh no! we are stuck!” If Will hit a bump in the road, she would shout “whoa daddy!” She fell asleep an hour into the trip with a cookie in her hand, I had packed in case of “tough times” on the journey.
Not far from the city by the sea, were cornfields. The stalks are now dried to a toasty brown and laden with cobs of bright yellow corn. Some people have pumpkins out. Marigolds are in their glory and making quite a statement in many yards. Leaves are likely to come unfastened in the slightest breeze, and when they do, they twirl and flutter as if they were part of well choreographed ballet.
When we pulled into the rabbit patch, I was thankful the grass did not need mowing. Cash greeted me like I had been gone a fortnight and the kitchen fairly sparkled. Nothing was out of place. Kyle and Christian, never let me down on maintaining proper order , in my absence. Of course I had to say good bye again – now to Jenny, a most thoughtful and loving daughter-and Lyla which is always a hard thing. . .and last, but far from least, Will, who I declare, is another son and I could not have “hand picked” a better one. Thank Goodness ( another name for God) Christian was home, and that was a saving grace .
Supper was cooking and clothes were washing, by the time Kyle came home. I took a stroll around the territory and found the loosestrife and zinnias were spent. The roses in the “Quiet Garden” are especially quiet-and they have a right to be, in September. The “autumn joy” has deepened dramatically to a warm plum color, and seems to be bragging about it . . . In a span of just four days, much can happen in the countryside.
Dear Rabbit Patch Diary, I am glad for the ” ties that bind” family . I am glad for the way the countryside announces seasons. I am glad for safe travels from the sea to fields, with loved ones . . .and a place to come home to where love abides-and the Autumn joy blooms.
Well Faye-you have no idea how this comment touched me. Can you believe in all my seeking to know God better-my praying and studying, that I have never once thought about God placing my children where He wanted them- where they needed to be . . .I just kept moaning they were too far away and I missed them!! You changed my view-and dramatically. Thank you! love Michele
You are so welcome Michele. I too moan about my kids being 4 – 5 hours away….and then when I come back from a visit I have seen that they are right where they need to be at this time. Then I thank God for that and try keep my moaning to a minimum. I would love them closer (like across the road) but if they cannot be I am glad they are happy where they are.
Having a few days away is so so lovely especially when you can spend it with much loved family members, but, as Dorothy said: “There’s no place like home.”
May your family continue to bloom and grow, and love be found in their hearts and homes. Sending much love to you Rabbit. ~ Cobs. xxx 🌸 🌸 🌸
An other beautiful post and an other beautiful time spent with your loved ones .Not always distance take away from relationships,it can also add something.Most of the time makes us appreciate the time spent together.
I bet that is true-I sure would love them closer anyway.! haha! I am so much better than I used to be-now I only mope a few days after a visit. Thank you sweet friend
The ONLY thing, I imagine, almost as good as visiting the Rabbit Patch and enjoying a cup of coffee while walking the grounds, is reading your descriptions of it. I am so put at ease. Again, I love your writing.
So much to savor in this post as well. I especially enjoyed this sentence for the visual it created for me: “Leaves are likely to come unfastened in the slightest breeze, and when they do, they twirl and flutter as if they were part of well choreographed ballet.” Very nice.
Thank you-It means so much that you comment like we are having coffee. What a gift you have -encouragement and kindness wrapped like a gift for me. . .and in reality it is just that. xx Michele
Being away is good, but coming home is always the best, isn’t it?
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Thankfully, I have two sons here and the animals-if not I would be so sad to leave-well more sad. Home is sweet. thank you!
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Amen!
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Loved reading about your journey and your homecoming! It is such a blessing to see your children happy and settled where God has placed them.
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Well Faye-you have no idea how this comment touched me. Can you believe in all my seeking to know God better-my praying and studying, that I have never once thought about God placing my children where He wanted them- where they needed to be . . .I just kept moaning they were too far away and I missed them!! You changed my view-and dramatically. Thank you! love Michele
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You are so welcome Michele. I too moan about my kids being 4 – 5 hours away….and then when I come back from a visit I have seen that they are right where they need to be at this time. Then I thank God for that and try keep my moaning to a minimum. I would love them closer (like across the road) but if they cannot be I am glad they are happy where they are.
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I didn’t realize there would be more about the trip. It was nice to travel home with you and find a warm welcome there.
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you know I am still moping today-but oh how sweet to see Kyle and Christian and the animals too! thank you .
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Sweet Lyla will miss her grandmother.
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And the feeling is mutual!! thank you Bernadette, love Michele
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Having a few days away is so so lovely especially when you can spend it with much loved family members, but, as Dorothy said: “There’s no place like home.”
May your family continue to bloom and grow, and love be found in their hearts and homes.
Sending much love to you Rabbit. ~ Cobs. xxx 🌸 🌸 🌸
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thank you-such a lovely blessing. I wish the same for you! love Michele
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You have been blessed with a wonderful family! And I love how doing anything with children reminds us to live in the moment…
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I am blessed Ann-thank you. and you are right about children too-thank you. love Michele
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An other beautiful post and an other beautiful time spent with your loved ones .Not always distance take away from relationships,it can also add something.Most of the time makes us appreciate the time spent together.
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I bet that is true-I sure would love them closer anyway.! haha! I am so much better than I used to be-now I only mope a few days after a visit. Thank you sweet friend
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Beautiful. ❤
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thank you-that word is just delightful to read. love Michele
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It always good to come home safe😀
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The ONLY thing, I imagine, almost as good as visiting the Rabbit Patch and enjoying a cup of coffee while walking the grounds, is reading your descriptions of it. I am so put at ease. Again, I love your writing.
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Gracious! What a very lovely thing to say! Your words filled my heart-thank you! love Michele
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Beautiful homecoming – fields to sea. Family is such a blessing.
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thank you so much and family is everything to me.
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Delightful. I love your stories.
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So much to savor in this post as well. I especially enjoyed this sentence for the visual it created for me: “Leaves are likely to come unfastened in the slightest breeze, and when they do, they twirl and flutter as if they were part of well choreographed ballet.” Very nice.
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Thank you-It means so much that you comment like we are having coffee. What a gift you have -encouragement and kindness wrapped like a gift for me. . .and in reality it is just that. xx Michele
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I love your world and some how feel connected to it
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