" When I recall the tranquil, and even happy mood in which I passed those hours,
and remember, at the same time, the position in which I was placed:
its hazardous - some would have said its hopeless - character;
I feel that, as -
Stone walls do not a prison make,
Nor iron bars - a cage.
so peril, loneliness, an uncertain future,
are not oppressive evils,
so long as the frame is healthy and the faculties employed;
so long, especially, as
Liberty lends us her wings,
and Hope guides us by her star."
{Villette}
grey days,
snowy skies...
a month of settling in
cozied up with
a story in my lap.
re-reading Villette...
grateful for the comfort
and familiarity of a
much loved novel.
listening to Emma while walking...
deciding to make this my year
of listening to all of Jane Austen's works
while on my morning rambles.
thankful for this lightness
when moments feel heavy.
leaning in to the magnitude
of momentum in all things
and how difficult it can be at times.
yet, when that first step is taken,
how fluid it all feels.
of course, it's a daily reminder.
feeling happy to be nearing the end
of the winter months...
looking forward with anticipation
to the hopefulness of spring.
Comments