Before Eva goes to sleep we lie in bed together and talk. I get to hear what happened in school and she asks
me about my day or about 'when you were young, mum'.
Lately she has been very interested in the times before I met her father. What did I do before coming to Africa?
Did I have boyfriends before daddy? Which countries did I travel to...
All this got me thinking.
Before coming to Namibia for the first time, I had to decide if I wanted to come here and help a friend do a movie
about diamond divers, or if I wanted to go back to Yelm in Washington State.
Choosing Africa set in motion a whole series of events that did lead me to this moment.
If I would have gone to Yelm (and it was a close call), my whole life would be quite different now.
One of my favorite poets, Robert Frost, has a beautiful poem about exactly that.
And seeing that I am still obsessed with maps, I printed it out on maps of Germany, the States and Southern Africa.
Not very subtle, I know :-).
Here is the road not taken:
Lots of love,
Tweet
Oh my! That may be one of my favorite projects of yours yet! I don't know how you come up with these great ideas! I have always loved that poem....it says so much. Great idea Jutta!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful creation!
ReplyDeleteJutta, I love that poem! I love your nighttime tradition....memories that will be cherished by both you and your daughter!
ReplyDeleteein bisschen verstehe ich schon, liebe jutta. und das verstandene hat mich angespornt, mich weiter mit deinem post zu beschäftigen, obwohl mein englisch wirklich very bad ist;) unter anderem hat dein blog auch den wunsch geweckt, endlich "ordentlich" englisch zu lernen.
ReplyDeletesei herzlich gegrüßt von birgit
I love the poem, I love how yo have it displayed and I love the meaning it has for you. As for the path you chose, I suppose, it also led our paths to cross so I am glad you are where you are and are who you are...and I am glad I can call you a friend :)
ReplyDeleteOne of my favourite pieces too. I always think of that movie "Sliding Doors" when looking back. One small change and life would be very different. Luckily it's awfully good where I am C:
ReplyDeleteich danke dir sehr! und das gedicht hat mich auch nachdenklich gemacht und ein bisschen wehmütig auch...wir haben uns beide schon an vielen gabelungen entscheiden müssen und deine wege haben dich weit in der welt herumgeführt.mir kommt meine wanderung fast unwirklich lang vor, fühl mich aber noch immer mitten drin im wald;)
ReplyDeleteund jetzt zu deinem kartenprojekt - ich find es großartig!
sei herzlichst gegrüßt von birgit
Vielen Dank liebe Birgit, bin inzwischen vom Wald in die Wüste, was aber keinen wirklichen Unterschied macht ... :-)
Deletexxx
This is such a great idea. I love that poem by Robert Frost and it goes perfect on the map prints.
ReplyDeleteWonderful! I like!
ReplyDeletedankeschön liebe Imke :-)
DeleteI am so glad you took that road, you have had an influence on my life and set many a stone rolling...
ReplyDeleteS
Thanks so much!!! :-) :-) Am also very happy that we met
DeleteI like this project very much Jutta...and I've been to Yelm but, sadly, not Namibia. :) Thanks for sharing this. I enjoy all of your posts. :)
ReplyDeletesuch an a wonderfully inspiring post jutta, perfect must have wall art :)
ReplyDeleteI sometimes wonder what would have happened if I had not decided to move to London. Would I still have met my husband somehow? After all, it was love at first sight, so I would hope that fate would have let us meet somehow. I also still wonder if my urge to take jopurneys down new roads will ever stop, as I still do not feel settled where I am!
ReplyDeleteP.S.: I love your map art and hope you have a fantatstic time in Germany!
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