About Me

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Delta, British Columbia, Canada
I took very early retirement from teaching in '06 and did some traveling in Europe and the UK before settling down to do some private tutoring. As a voracious reader, I have many books waiting in line for me to read. Tell me I shouldn't read something, and I will. I'm a happy, optimistic person and I love to travel and through that believe that life can be a continuous learning experience. I'm looking forward to traveling more some day. I enjoy walking, cycling, water aerobics & and sports like tennis, volleyball, and fastpitch/baseball. I'm just getting into photography as a hobby and I'm enjoying learning all the bits and bobs of my digital camera. My family is everything to me and I'm delighted to be the mother of two girls and the Gramma of a boy and a girl. I may be a Gramma, but I'm at heart just a girl who wants to have fun.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

R is for Ruminate

I just finished reading (for the second time) Sebastian Faulks' Charlotte Grey, the story of a young Scottish woman who went on a dual mission to occupied France during WW2. Towards the end of the record of her journey when she had safely returned to London, she reminisced about what an old French painter had told her:
When you are forty you have no cell in your body that you had at eighteen. It was the same...with your character. Memory is the only things that binds you to earlier selves; for the rest, you become an entirely different being every decade or so, sloughing off the old persona, renewing and moving on. You are not who you were...nor who you will be.
This resonated deeply with me, considering what I've been through the last two years by renewing a past love. I still wonder if the possibility of happiness he once held out will rise above the reach of memory to become a reality we can live with, together or separately. I do know he is relying on this hope.
Just ruminating.

36 comments:

Kay L. Davies said...

I hope it works out for you, Leslie, one way or another. Perhaps in a way you haven't yet considered.
-- K

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

nancygrayce said...

You are such a happy person and have overcome such huge "stuff". You really never know what is around that next bend.

SDCrafts said...

Thank you for this Leslie - for various reasons, this quote will rest with me for many days to come. In my case, the relationships in focus are familial not romantic.

I really do wish you well but please be careful of looking back - make sure any road going forward is shared with someone who is in step with you, not dragging behind or racing ahead.

Loving support.
Shirl

Strawberry Jam Anne said...

Only time will tell Leslie but live for now, don't look back. A

mrsnesbitt said...

"make sure any road going forward is shared with someone who is in step with you, not dragging behind or racing ahead"

Wow Leslie - sound advice and so very apt!
HUGS Dxx

Leslie: said...

Thanks Shirl...that is what I have been pondering, too. And will make sure of, no matter what.

Anne in Oxfordshire said...

Hello Leslie .. oh yes this is certainly true... I am certainly not the person I was when I was younger .. and have found a new life that I never considered and all through blogging :-)

You have been through so much in the time that we have connected in the blogging world, I do hope that it all works out, whatever path you go on.

None of us know what is around the corner . I think Shirl has hit the nail on the head for most of us.

Take care love Anne

photowannabe said...

This resonates with me too.
The quote of not being what we once were and not being the same as in the future. Thats Hope! We are never the same.
You have been through a lot but I see you Rising above it all. I think you have an amazing future ahead of you Leslie.

Sylvia K said...

I do agree with Anne, only time will tell, and only looking forward helps you move past the past. I've been there, done that, so I do know of what you speak/write! Holding good thoughts for you, Leslie! Have a great week!

Sylvia

Barbara said...

That is such an intriguing thought, it reminds me of something I read in about Buddhism, about us not being the same person we were yesterday so there is no point in blaming ourselves for past mistakes etc. I hope things turn out well for you Leslie.

Roger Owen Green said...

You are a very REFLECTIVE (and REFINED) person, Leslie. I have faith that you'll be OK, sooner than later.

ROG, ABC Wednesday team

Cezar and Léia said...

Bonjour dear Leslie,
Your posts are always delightful,I'm enchanted by this story and curious about this book, I need to read more about!Thanks for the hint!
but I need to confess...I'm that kind of ROMANTIC woman, there is a ROSE soul in every moment of poetry inside my heart!Sometimes my mind is all about dreams, but the REALITY calls me and it's time to go on with the life!
But it's wonderful to have good dreams, isn't it? ;)
REGARDS from Luxembourg
Léia

Carver said...

I hope that whatever is best for you is how it turns out. I know that's sometimes hard to figure out. Take care, Carver

Amy said...

Leslie, There's much wisdom in your post. And I agree with Shirl too - wishing you the best always!

EG CameraGirl said...

Sounds like a great book!

All the best, Leslie. You are in our thoughts.

Gigi Ann said...

I like that quote by the old French painter, and it is so true, I certainly am not the person I was at 18, thank goodness! And I agree my personality has changed over the years as well. When I look back, sometimes I wonder, "What was I thinking?"

As far as relationships, I realize it isn't always easy, but life either moves forward, stalls, or regresses. I always find moving forward is the happy road to travel on.

Dear Leslie, I hope that your dreams will soon come true for you. Whatever they may be.

Tumblewords: said...

I wish you well! Strange how life doesn't go along with our map, but shifts and churns until we create breakthroughs in other areas - sounds like a wonderful book and one which warrants a read for me as I change decades and resort to new cells. :0

Paula Scott Molokai Girl Studio said...

It is indeed a reality that has to be lived with! Very interesting reflections.

Reader Wil said...

I wish you all the best in taking the right decision.I wish you to be independant!I am sure that you do know what you are doing.

Cildemer said...

Nice and very reflective post!
I totally agree with the quote about the fact that you are constantly evolving into another person!
Wishing you a successful outcome!

***
Happy ABC Wednesday****

Anonymous said...

Loving the quote.. I totally agree with it.

Everything will turn out fine, Ms Leslie.. Wishing you the best. =)

http://neneleah30.blogspot.com/2010/11/my-robinson.html

Beverley Baird said...

Lots to think about here Leslie! I haven't read the book and now I am intrigued - I'll have to search it out.
May you reach the decisions you need to and in your own time.
take care.

Gattina said...

As a child I was fascinated by cows who ruminated. I was happy that I didn't have to do the same,lol !

Rune Eide said...

A highly introspective and thoughtful contribution. All the best!

jabblog said...

All will be well in time.
I enjoyed Charlotte Grey but it didn't resonate with me as soundly as Birdsong.

Francisca said...

Ruminate is a regal word that rolls nicely off the tongue. I have learned that what is yours is yours and what is not is just not meant to be. Follow your heart, but be sure to listen to it carefully.

Joy said...

Reminds me of the Tao "Spokes on the heavenly wheel/keep rotation constant" Hope the wheel turns smoothly.

♥♥ Willa ♥♥ said...

It must be a good read for you to read it for the second time. :)

Thanks for visiting my ♥ABC Wednesday:R

Jay said...

And very interesting ruminations they are too. I like the quote - and it's so true. Even after a few weeks, parts of your body are renewed. Skin, blood and mucous membranes are regularly replaced at quite a fast rast. Interesting to ponder how it is that memories remain, isn't it?

I do hope things work out for you!

Jo's-D-Eyes said...

Hi Leslie,
Thats a lot of Rrrrr's here but Really, youre Right', you are just a wonderfull person, I remeber (long time ago) your backproblems, me with my shoulder, finally we both are okay now, dont we? '

I will post more of my puppie, yes he has a name : first means "Glad" the second name means "giving health" I will soon publice the reall given names names on my blog, THANKS for visiting mine,

Take care and stay healthy

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

I'm not sure I agree with the quote. I think what and who we are is ingrained very early. I do hope it works out for you, Leslie. xx

Liz Hinds said...

I've been so busy lately I've not had time to visit blogs so I'm trying to catch up with the special ones!

What an interesting quote. Makes you think.

I'm looking forward to your future, leslie! And your visit to Wales. You've been through far more than most of us have to go through in your life and you've come out amazingly strong.

Don't look back but look forward with hope and excitement!

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