(This post was written in response to this week’s writing prompt from Janisse Ray’s “Journey in Place” course on her Trackless Wild Substack. I wholeheartedly encourage you to follow her work there, if you don’t already.)
I love this, Monica. It really resonated with me. I am the 6th generation of my family to live on our place in south GA. The heaviness of that, I cannot take lightly. So much tragedy through those generations. Alcoholism, mental health issues, and a suicide in the house I grew up in & currently live in. I’m gradually getting the stories down on paper. It’s emotionally draining work but it feels like important work for midlife. My son & his family, including my two grand boys also live here on our place & I’m making it a mission for the rest of my days to make it a place they feel rooted to through the writing I’m doing & adventures we go on at the farm & in the swamp.
I love this, Monica. I've been thinking a lot about place lately and what will happen to my grandparents' properties and my parents. I was raised to believe in the primacy of land and owning as much of it as possible. You should talk to Lou at some point; she grew up in Dodge County and has similar stories of violence in her near background.
It made me yearn again for the dirt I used to scrabble around in through childhood to play marbles and scoot toy trucks laden with it here and there. I just need to wait for the thaw now before I grab some more.
My goodness, you made me feel like I was there, Monica. And all that real tragedy: I'm so sorry, and it does have a way of removing the romantic scales from the eyes.
Thank you so much for reading, and for your kind words. I have been trying to write about my family stories for a while now. I'm pleasantly surprised at how well these nature prompts are drawing family stories out of me (it's not intentional!).
Beautiful piece, Monica. Family land roots deep in a person. My husband will inherit a small bit of acreage and is torn about what to do when that happens. Enjoy your explorations!
A lovely reminiscence! My sister and I still own property on our home-place; we refuse to sell, even though we know that our children have no real interest in that land. They are too far removed from the real memories and have only the stories to inform them. Four generations of my daddy's family are buried in the Beersheba Cumberland Presbyterian Cemetery just down the road. So for now, I'm holding on.
And though you might not cry over Scarlett anymore, remember that she also found strength and purpose from putting her hands in the land that was her legacy.
I love this, Monica. It really resonated with me. I am the 6th generation of my family to live on our place in south GA. The heaviness of that, I cannot take lightly. So much tragedy through those generations. Alcoholism, mental health issues, and a suicide in the house I grew up in & currently live in. I’m gradually getting the stories down on paper. It’s emotionally draining work but it feels like important work for midlife. My son & his family, including my two grand boys also live here on our place & I’m making it a mission for the rest of my days to make it a place they feel rooted to through the writing I’m doing & adventures we go on at the farm & in the swamp.
Thank you for this beautiful, touching piece.
Thank you so much for reading, Becki, and for taking the time to write this. I'm so very glad that it resonates with you.
I love this, Monica. I've been thinking a lot about place lately and what will happen to my grandparents' properties and my parents. I was raised to believe in the primacy of land and owning as much of it as possible. You should talk to Lou at some point; she grew up in Dodge County and has similar stories of violence in her near background.
A wonderful read, Monica, thank you.
It made me yearn again for the dirt I used to scrabble around in through childhood to play marbles and scoot toy trucks laden with it here and there. I just need to wait for the thaw now before I grab some more.
What a place. The photos are very lovely. Thank you for this, Monica.
My goodness, you made me feel like I was there, Monica. And all that real tragedy: I'm so sorry, and it does have a way of removing the romantic scales from the eyes.
Thank you so much for reading, and for your kind words. I have been trying to write about my family stories for a while now. I'm pleasantly surprised at how well these nature prompts are drawing family stories out of me (it's not intentional!).
Beautiful piece, Monica. Family land roots deep in a person. My husband will inherit a small bit of acreage and is torn about what to do when that happens. Enjoy your explorations!
A lovely reminiscence! My sister and I still own property on our home-place; we refuse to sell, even though we know that our children have no real interest in that land. They are too far removed from the real memories and have only the stories to inform them. Four generations of my daddy's family are buried in the Beersheba Cumberland Presbyterian Cemetery just down the road. So for now, I'm holding on.
And though you might not cry over Scarlett anymore, remember that she also found strength and purpose from putting her hands in the land that was her legacy.
Souvenir from the Wreck is a great title!
Ooh, thank you!