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Tuesday, September 21

J is for Journey!

~ Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome. ~ (Arthur Ashe)

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This morning I had a fantastic time on the beach with Freida. As usual we had it all to ourselves and as the sun was warm and the air was still it was a fantastic space to be. Whenever I am near the sea I always think of the times I was away from home and missed the open coast so much. I returned home when my Dad died and I knew the time had come for me to return home and look after mum. I will never forget the journey home as I knew my life was about to change, but little did I know how much. A few months later I met Jon. A holiday had been planned with friends to France for 5 weeks. It was during this time I realised I had met “Mr Right”. The journey home was a very significant one as I knew it would be the last journey I would make , as a single woman. We were married a few months later.

What significant journeys have you made in your time?

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The Journey


One day you finally knew what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you kept shouting their bad advice --
though the whole house began to tremble
and you felt the old tug at your ankles.
"Mend my life!" each voice cried.
But you didn't stop.
You knew what you had to do, though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers at the very foundations,
though their melancholy was terrible.
It was already late enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen branches and stones.


But little by little, as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly recognized as your own,
that kept you company as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do the only thing you could do --
determined to save
the only life you could save.

~ Mary Oliver ~

29 comments:

  1. Your photos are masterpieces Denise. I guess I could say all of life is a journey. Yours proved to be the best one because of Jon.
    I have no complaints about mine either. I went with a group to take some blind children on a walk and met my Hubby as we partnered to help the kids. Almost 47 years later, I can say love isn't blind...

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  2. Very often the most important things about a journey is planning it beforehand and then reliving it (with photos!!!) afterwards.

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  3. Oh 'Love at first sight' - how wonderful. I know that feeling so well. :)

    Love the photos Denise.

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  4. This touches my heart today, Denise, especially the poem. Glad you enjoy the sea as I do, too, and had a lovely time with Frieda.

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  5. Hi Denise, hope you are feeling better now...
    I´m home from my Journey to Greece, a little bit heavy, all that wonderful food they have in that country. I love it, and I love your post!

    Annelie E, Sweden

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  6. Marvelous captures as always, Denise! And I love the words of Mary Oliver! Perfect! I hope you're feeling better! Looks as though you and Frieda had a great day at that lovely beach! Enjoy your week!

    Sylvia

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  7. What a beautiful post, Denise :-)

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  8. What a lovely story. I suppose my significant journey was to the hospital when I was in labour. It was exciting and scary all at once. I knew that when I made the return journey I would be a Mum and have my baby in my arms.

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  9. I wished I would live so nearby the sea, so that I could do a walk each morning; Beautiful pictures !

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  10. Such a beautiful post it brought tears to my eyes xx

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  11. It certainly was a wonderful warm day today. Nice to look out to sea on the east coast through your photos.
    Thanks for the wonderful Mary Oliver poem.

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  12. Lovely romantic post, and the poem lends it great depth.

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  13. Love the picture and poem! I'm also choosing Journey for this week's entry but just a road journey.

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  14. I suppose my most significant journey was when we crossed the Atlantic 50 years ago. Didn't plan on staying more than a couple of years -- and now here we are.

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  15. I don't suppose we can award you next week, can we? Nuts.

    Significant journey? Maybe a visit to Schenectady, NY to visit friends Christime 1977; I've been in the area ever since.

    ROG, ABC Wednesday team

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  16. Gorgeous photos! Love the poem by Mary Oliver! Great post for J!

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  17. I've taken many many journeys in my life - my blog is about that very thing - but the most significant journey is my journey to self-actualization, to being the best I can be.

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  18. Oh, what a beautiful tale, Denise - from the tragic loss of your father, you met and married your darling Jon, isn't it strange how life comes out?

    Btw, Sam loved the aga postcard (grin), thanks for making his day! (x)

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  19. Outstanding poem and so beautiful postcards, a journey to a lovely day, thanks very much for this joy!
    hugs
    Léia

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  20. Very reflective. Those photos look like what you would find on a church bulletin. My thoughts are floating now!

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  21. That coastline is etched on my childhood memories. Thank you for the reminders you provide. I miss North Yorkshire so badly!

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  22. the photos are superb!
    they beautifully convey the sense of going on a journey

    I love the Arthur Ashe quote - he was such a class act

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  23. I love your photos and the poem. I wish I could join you for a walk on the beach...how lovely that would be!! You are such a special lady, Denise!

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  24. a stunning journey in poetic form,
    how divine!
    love your take!

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  25. What a wonderful journey you have allowed us to share.. Thanks!
    Patsy

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  26. Gorgeous shots of the beach, Denise!

    I like the poem too - how true that the only life you can save, in some respects, is your own.

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  27. stunning photos!

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  28. You story made tears come to my eyes. Such beautiful and true words about how life's journey is not easy, but can be rewarding if we understand how to follow the path that is destined for us.

    Stunning photos!

    Best wishes,
    Anna
    Anna's J-word (abc-Wed rd-7)

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Thank you for your comments, always nice to know somebody has taken the time to let me know what they think.