„Getting prepared for my future is impossible, without going through my past”
Autumn – my favourite time of the year. Even here in Austria where deciduous trees aren´t that present I love to watch how nature shifts its colours. It´s the perfect time of year to go for long walks, for reflexion and to get ready for the winter season.
Long, warm summer nights are over, days get shorter, time becomes more precious. For me right now, anyway. I haven´t got much time left to sort out my belongings and wrap up my stuff in boxes and bags. Yesterday I took a day off from packing. I went for a lovely “Indian Summer” hike. One of my must-do hikes during this time of year. Passing some cows in the lower meadows, I followed the trail through the forest till I reached to my favourite part.
The blueberry and cranberry bushes were glowing in the sunlight. A real spectacle. I sat next to a little pond, my secret spot, with only my thoughts and a sandwich. Lunch always tastes better being outdoors! I got my little notebook out to write, while being distracted by the dragonflies trying to find the best spot to lay their eggs. We´re all busy in our own way….
Souvenirs and letters
Today it´s been a mystic day. Low clouds in the early morning hours…. grey in all its shades. The perfect weather to finally get the job done! Going through my collection of souvenirs and letters.
I had put the kettle on for a nice cup of tea, my favourite playlist in the background and dragged all my boxes to my meanwhile half-empty living room. Sitting comfortably on my soft blue rug having lots of letters spread everywhere around me. I felt like sitting in a little dinghy riding a sea of letters!
Going through those letters is like travelling through my past. Heartwarming notes from my parents and grandparents, pen pals from holiday, schoolfriends sending postcards, life stories from my best friends, love letters from a boyfriend or admirer. Apologizes too. A stack of letters sent from friends and family to Chiang Mai, where I celebrated my birthday in 2004 all by myself got most of my attention. Apparently, I had booked ahead a hostel in advance, so people where able to write to me! That was how it worked back then. Touching messages…make me re-live my past.
I can´t wait to go again… making new memories while exploring the world. But right now, in this very moment, I am also very much looking forward to return one day.
Imagining myself sitting in a velvet green armchair, a nice cup of tea on the side table and my lap covered with mail. Letters about my journey. Letters from friends. Letters who are telling my life story. Letters because they matter! Technology is great… and it´s hard to imagine a life now without computers, e-mails, mobile phones and voice messages. But nothing bonds like a handwritten-letter, when you ask me.
Please… get yourself a piece of paper and a pen and write a letter! You´re gonna make someone’s day – I guarantee you that!
