It hasn’t been the writing that has kept me away – it’s been the damned parapet. I haven’t wanted to put my head above it, so I let myself go silent. Almost all my journal entries start with I’m not writing and I should be… and here I am nearly 7 years on from my last post.
I told you then that my daughter had died, that I was grieving. She’s now been gone seven years and is about to become a grandmother. My daughter, a grandmother, from beyond the grave. And yes, that means I am about to become a great-grandmother. I’m also about to turn 70. The Crone is stirring in my soul and for the first time in my life I’m saying parapets be damned!
I’ll admit it is a bit uncomfortable but it’s also quite fun. And empowering.
We’ve survived a pandemic. Babies have been born. Friends and family have battled cancer and other illnesses. We nearly lost Jeff a year ago. I’ve learned to believe in miracles, to work with ancestors, and to trust the Blessed Mother. I’ve decided to have my teeth straightened. I’ve taken a part-time job and I’m becoming wildly interested in the ageing process.
I am not certain where I’m going with this. Because of my role with Labyrinthos, I’ve felt that a blog that carries Ariadne’s name should be academically sound and focused on labyrinths. Reasonably intellectual. Grounded in the classics, at the very least. I can’t promise you that. This is simply a letter from me, from my meandering Path. If I wait any longer to become a classical scholar, I’ll have died of old age. What a bummer.
So, what do I do with the fact that I am an introspective soul who can’t quote facts and figures to save my life? I guess I’ll disappoint some of you with that – please don’t feel that you have to stay. But if my introspection interests you, please join me for what might be an interesting ride. This is about who I really am. I’m writing it for me, but you’re welcome to come along.
And is this still Ariadne’s Thread? Yes. Maybe more than ever.
photo: Castillo de Petrer, Spain – Castilllo de Petrera is a medieval castle with impressive crenalated walls high in the hills north of Alicante where a labyrinth grafitto was discovered in the dungeon some years ago, a poignant indication of both th intellect and the desperation of the prisoner. A full report of our 2016 visit can be found in Caerdroia 46.
Welcome back! Although you were
Never far away. Thinking of you and Jeff frequently and savour our communication over the years while my life too has been in turmoil. Already I’m looking forward to more of your writing, love,
Karin
Aaah,thank you!You and Sig are two of the people I write to and for…
I just turned 70 last month. I accept your invitation to “come along” wherever that may be for you and for me.
It is lovely to hear from you.
Lynne, thank you for this! I think this might turn interesting and I look forward to having you (and your voice) along for the ride!
I’m looking forward to being back in connection!
Hello,
I think I came across this blog some years ago when I tried to start a blog myself with this very name only to discover it was alread6 taken. I was rather upset. You see, I come from Heraklion, Crete, where Knossos, Ariadne’s home was. I was intrigued that no posts appeared until today.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts some of which resonated with me. They triggered some thoughts of my own that I had not thought about before. That Ariadne had tied her thread to something secure outside the labyrinth. I.can think of some interpretarion of this part of the myth. Anyway, I think this is all from me for now.
Anna
Kimberly, I was delighted to find your post in my email, beyond delighted, celebrating with you this return to writing, the sharing, awaiting discovery of what will unfold next for you. Blessings to the journey and thank you. Thank you again for the inspiration that led to my own pilgrimage from Paris to Chartres this year. I’m home and needing to ‘unpack’ all that unfolded.
I loved following your pilgrimage in my heart and in your FB posts, Connie! And thank you for always encouraging me in my writing and my forays into the world!
This is marvelous!! I’m here for introspection.
Parapets be damned indeed my friend!
Have fun storming the castle! (Are you a princess bride fan?)
Welcome back, Kimberly! I missed you and also Jeff.
I’m in my 76th year and learning to embrace the Chrone-ship. My youngest brother committed suicide last year. He was my best friend and I was left to pick up the pieces. It has made me view family (lack of) and threads of life in a new way. At the moment decluttering/what to hold onto or let go is an interesting process.
Thank you for your words.
Judith
Kimberly, I believe that I might have written my email address incorrectly previously. I corrected it below. Thanks!
Judith, I had no idea of your story over this past year, but even this little bit reinforces my conviction that we need each other, now more than ever. Maybe the old FB way doesn’t work so well anymore… so it’s up to us to find new ways of connecting and sharing. Blogging might be a step in the right direction for me. I hope so, but the bottom line is that we need to find places and ways to tell each other our truths. Much love! K
Thank you, Janice!
Seeing your writing pop up on Facebook was like a delivery person outside my door with a huge, beautiful bouquet of flowers!!! Thank you!
I needed to check the meanings of parapets and I think they’ve been protecting you-and a place to lean against in the past days, months, years, of frantic learning and decision making, and acceptance! We thought about you and Jeff so often in Chartres, wishing you to be there in person not just spirit. The candle was lit!
Savor the remainder of 60’s and I’ll welcome you to the 70’s!!
Hello Kimberly and thank you for sharing your introspective thoughts. It is hard to believe that seven years have past since that tragedy, yet time does move on and other miracles and moments give joy and leave wonderful memories. Please lead the way joyfully into the 70s… I’m just a few years behind you!
You write so beautifully my friend.
Thank you!
Welcome back and thank you for the invitation to follow along and get to know more of your becoming. Love and miss you!
All those question marks should be periods. My eyes must need saline drops.
I changed them! 🙂
Hi Kimberly! Nice to hear your update… what an arduous seven years it’s been. I was also just in Chartres with Sherry and George on the pilgrimage with Veriditas and was thinking of you as well. It’s hard to believe we met on the perimeter of the candlelit labyrinth and I was able to share in the last day of building the secret garden labyrinth. I thought of you and Jeff being back at both labyrinths and am glad you are finding yourself on somewhat solid ground now.
Researching labyrinth cosmology I found this perspective on Ariadne by Tom Vetter which you might appreciate and perhaps even reflect the intention for your blog!
“ Theseus entered a Maze, and he departed from a Labyrinth (represented by Ariadne’s Thread)! The Labyrinth is the “hidden order” of the Maze, embedded by its creator, Daedalus. This is not a new insight (it was written about by Ovid two thousand years ago!), but it is an important one. So consider this: if the Maze represents the Universe, doesn’t the Labyrinth represent the Path which reveals “our sense of the order of the Universe and our place in it”?
Kimberly,
I’m thrilled to be reading your writings! What a gift! I thought I would have traveled to England by now! I was thinking that I used to use the phrase, ‘well, someday…’ and recently decided that ‘this is the someday’! I admire you for picking up the pen/paper/computer and I’m thrilled to be traveling with you!
Please come see us!!! And in the meantime, I’ll blog ?