Sunday Reflection-For Whom the Bell Tolls
“No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main… because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.” -John Donne, English Poet, (1572-1631)
Okay, so it’s a bit ominous sounding…since he’s talking about death and all…but still appropriate in its theme that we are all connected to one another regardless of where we are physically…or geographically, for that matter.
And why am I quoting old English poets?
Simply put, the bell has tolled for our family, so to speak, and our time at The Bell House is coming to an end.
Since June of last year, Husband-Will has been commuting between our home in Dublin and his work in Washington, DC. That’s a lot of air miles and time zones and jet lag and carbon footprinting. So, we’re packing up so we can live together in one country on one continent. Fair enough.
Understandably, creative energies will play a supporting role to more pressing, non-creative things…like cardboard boxes…for the next couple of months. Yep, a bit of dejá vu from, say, just last autumn…
And so, the New Year’s photo is rather prophetic,
for we have taken a different fork in the path and stand ready to see what this newest bend in the road will hold for us.
You’re moving to the US? to the DC area?! Let me be the first to (pre) welcome you!
05 Apr 2008 at 10:14 pm
Oh my, you’re leaving!? I can see how good it will be for you, but we will sure miss you at the knitting groups..!
05 Apr 2008 at 10:32 pm
Wow, I’m not sure if I should be happy for you or sad. I will sorely miss you wonderful countryside photos (as a wannabe Dubliner). But hope whatever lies in your future is what you wish!
06 Apr 2008 at 1:42 am
Sometimes the most unexpected changes in our lives turn out to be exactly what we need. There are so many wonderful things about DC–it’s where I first tried Ethiopian food! Embrace the changes, and good luck!
06 Apr 2008 at 3:06 am
Wow…I don’t really even know you, save for your blog, but I’m sad for you to have to be leaving Ireland! But it will be nice, I’m sure, to have your family whole more often! Best wishes!
06 Apr 2008 at 3:42 am
wow, big changes once again. sorry your time in ireland is coming to an end; glad you will all be in one geographic area. hope the transition goes smoothly. take care.
06 Apr 2008 at 7:13 am
Cheryl, although I haven’t seen too much of you recently, let me say I’ll really miss you. But all those miles, and missing each other , well its probably better if your all together. Hopefully you will be back.
06 Apr 2008 at 1:40 pm
I’m so sorry that you are leaving Ireland! I will miss your pictures and stories. However, welcome back to the states. On a positive note I look forward to your adventures in the DC area. It’s always nice to have the family all together. I hope that you get to visit Eire and all the friends you have made there.
All the best!
06 Apr 2008 at 8:11 pm
The life of an expat, huh?
Good luck with the move. It’ll suck to be packing boxes yet again, but, hey, think of the yarn shops in DC!
06 Apr 2008 at 10:04 pm
We are living our lives almost as twins. We (my family) are heading back to DC area after 2 years in Belgium this summer, actually we are less than two months away from our packup. Hopefully we will get to meet at the yarn shops in DC.
07 Apr 2008 at 9:02 am
Change, life is full of change. I hope you will make lots of new friends back in the States - and don’t forget your friends in Ireland. I will miss the cross-cultural experiences. Many times you have reminded me of American things I have forgotten, like cinnamon rolls. What I missed most when I first came to Ireland almost 40 years ago was Betty Crocker mixes. I was lost without them.
07 Apr 2008 at 12:37 pm
I shall miss the gorgeous photos and stories of life in Ireland - but good luck with the move. A DC to Ireland commute is no fun for anyone.
07 Apr 2008 at 2:52 pm
Good Luck with your new adventure. I will miss seeing the sights and hearing stories of Ireland, but change is inevitable. I look forward to reading about the new adventures you will be having.
07 Apr 2008 at 3:30 pm
Wishing you all the best with your decision and I´m sure you´ll keep us entertained with your adventures in DC, and as Lien said Just think of the Yarn shops!!
07 Apr 2008 at 4:57 pm
good luck with the move and all it involves - and I am looking forward to a blog from DC - I can visit dublin any old time - but I’ve never been to the US:))
07 Apr 2008 at 11:57 pm
Yeh! You’re coming to the DC area! I’m where the DC area goes when it wants a “ride in the country!”
I know you’re sorry to be leaving Ireland, though, and we’ll miss all those lovely photos.
08 Apr 2008 at 12:47 pm
Oh, I am so excited. I live in the D.C. area and would love to meet you in a yarn shop or two. I know changes are hard and leaving lovely Ireland will be difficult. Hope all goes well and please get in touch when you get here.
08 Apr 2008 at 1:25 pm
Good luck with the move, it will be worth it to be together again properly.
08 Apr 2008 at 3:28 pm
Good Luck and best wishes for continued happiness in your new home. I am sure that where ever you come to light it will feel like home in no time at all . After all home is where the heart is.
08 Apr 2008 at 7:39 pm
Ireland’s loss is our gain - welcome back!
08 Apr 2008 at 8:30 pm
In a way it won’t change much for your blog’s readers because I really hope that you’ll be posting about you, what you knit, what you bake…and I’m happy that you’ll be posting about DC !!! I’ve lived there for 2 years and I’m feeling sometimes a bit nostalgic. When are you leaving ? do you already know where you are going to live in DC ?
09 Apr 2008 at 5:32 pm
I only discovered your blog when I discovered your Tudora on Knitty. I will miss your Irish pictures! I’m sure you’ll find equally fascinating ones to take and share in your new home area, though. Good luck on your upcoming move!
09 Apr 2008 at 8:58 pm
Very best wishes to you and your family for the move and all that goes along with it.
10 Apr 2008 at 5:34 am
I will surely miss the little bit of Ireland that you share with us in your photos and cultural insights, but I’m happy for your family to be whole again. I wish your family the best as you look forward to your new adventures. I know I’m looking forward to hearing your new yarns.
10 Apr 2008 at 9:26 pm
Moving is always such a mixture of sadness at leaving and excitement at the new adventure ahead! Your bell home is gorgeous! How lucky of yuo to have spent time there. Where are you headed now?
11 Apr 2008 at 3:34 pm
I’m so sorry you will be leaving the bell house…I’ve always dreamed of living in Ireland when I’m out of school, but was hesitant for the sake of missing all of the friends and family who have only recently gathered together for good in my small town in upstate New York, and the farmland surrounding it. I wish you the best, and hope you will leave all of your entries from Ireland online…they always gave me something pleasant to reflect on in the middle of a pre-high school stress session. Best wishes, and hope you find adventure of the best kind in the view of monuments, libraries, and one or two quirky yarn shops!
11 Apr 2008 at 4:21 pm
On the move again, so no more beautiful Irish pictures for all us readers but hopefully an easier time for you and your family. Good luck (and keep posting)!
12 Apr 2008 at 2:56 pm
It seems like you JUST got settled in at the Bell House. I mean, you went without proper internet for FOREVER, and now you have to leave? And what about the sheep?
Oh, well. You’re nothing if not on your toes.
13 Apr 2008 at 4:34 am
I’m also among the “sad” camp. What a lot of work just to get settled, only to start again. I’ll miss the lovely Irish scenery.
14 Apr 2008 at 1:07 pm
Just found your blog from your pattern Tudora. I’m from Waterford, Ireland. All my family still lives there. I love your photos of Ireland, it makes me homesick. I have been living in USA for 15 years.
16 Apr 2008 at 10:10 pm
Hi Cheryl,
I guessed the move was on the cards but we are all going to miss you so much. You introduced so many of us to crafting and to each other. Thank you so much and I wish you all the best in the States, post some nice shots from there for us. Lots of Love Barbs
18 Apr 2008 at 1:07 pm