Sunday, August 26, 2012

MAGPIE TALES # 132 - COMING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS



MAGPIE TALES # 132 - COMING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS



The Big Room, 1948 by Andrew Wyeth

She returned from the war, three weeks
Before their happy Christmas of 1948.
After nursing so many injured soldiers for seven years, and
Having just placed her last charge, in his future home in Devon with
His Aunt's family, she was finally ready to leave England for good!
She was sailing  back to Pennsylvania, to resume
The life she had put on hold so many years ago.
He met her that afternoon, at the harbor in New York City,

They stayed and spent her first night home at the Plaza.
Laughed out loud, while catching up on all of their stories,
Including the not to be overlooked details of families and friends.
Then, in the morning, after the light snow that had fallen
Gave way to bright, warm sunshine, they packed up the truck,
With gifts and  her large, battered, steamer trunk,
They were heading out of Manhattan, south by southwest.

An early breakfast in their suite meant they only had to
Make one quick stop for coffee, and a stretch of the legs.
She couldn't wait to be back in that big room of their house,
They had closed up and abandoned for so many years!
Now, with the war behind them, life could begin once again
At home, in their Chadds Ford country manor, where the
Morning sun was busily shining through the north east windows
To welcome them home.


For more MAGPIE TALES crafted by so many gifted contributors, click HERE




With a little tale about England and America, I needed some Canadian content.
This song fit the picture. Enjoy!



Posted by at

51 comments:

  1. A sprightly, hopeful piece. It wakes up the painting!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Irish Gumbo,

      Thank you for stopping by and for suggesting my words woke up the painting! Smiles!

      Delete

  2. nice...can you imagine the feel of returning to that place after being away...after war and all they had been through? i imagine it to be quite the comfort...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Brian,

      I was thinking like my memories of the old war movies that were mostly about men returning, but women did too. It would be so very comforting to be back into your regular life and loves! I am into the schmaltz. Thanks for visiting, my friend. =D

      Delete

  3. Away for seven years is a huge long time in so many ways. Such a happy tale to have a house they both love and each other to come home to. Great interpretation Hank :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Replies

    1. Laurie,

      Awww..... thanks so much for leaving a little love!! I am glad you enjoyed your visit here today. =D

      Delete

  5. I like your take on this...happy couple, waiting to fill the empty house again of laughter and morning sun ~

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Grace,

      The room looked like it could do with some happiness, Grace. Thank you for coming around and leaving your kind, support. =D

      Delete

  6. Having read your text and looking at the picture once more I could hear their voices. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Ritva,

      I had a friend Ritva when I was a teenager. She lived up the street. It's not a name you hear very often. I was imagining this as a movie, so I definitely heard their voices. Thank you for visiting me. =D

      Delete

  7. loved the promise in this...x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Kay,

      The promise of a happy future was waiting. I hope it was. Thank you for popping in with the love and promise for me. =D

      Delete
  8. Replies

    1. Kathe,

      Thank you for the kind comments and I have to say it was positively lovely that you came by today. =D

      Delete

  9. Beautiful and nostalgic, Linda...very nice...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Tess,

      I wanted to date the story to the time and place of the painting. Thank you for stopping in and for these kind words you left for me. =D

      Delete

  10. very nice indeed.....thanks forsharing your words

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Wayne,

      I'm glad you came by and thanks so much for the very nice comment you left for me. Your support is appreciated.

      Delete

  11. Great optimism ! and so it was; very fresh- I can smell it! and feel the anticipation. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Izzy,

      I wanted the reader to feel the anticipation...thank you so much! Your comments are appreciated and I am pleased that you visited today.

      Delete

  12. How nice! 7 years is a pretty long time to bottle up longings and emotions. It's finally settled. The old Manor is in for some boisterous homecoming. It'll be home for good! Nicely crafted Linda!

    Hank

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Hank,

      Over the years I have heard stories of nurses who had to make sure all of their wounded were settled somewhere after the war before they were allowed to return home. It seems so unfair, but I don't know the details. Thank you for coming around to share the enthusiasm, Hank. Much appreciated! =D

      Delete

  13. Came back for another read, can't believe I got mixed up and thought I was reading Hanks blog but, you both have the same background. Shame on me... It's still a wonderful poem. Hope you weren't offended. Sheesh!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Daydreamertoo,

      Hank and I do have the same background and it was a mistake anyone could have made, with so many poem places to visit. I'm not offended at all. Thank you for noticing and for returning to mend the error. =D

      Delete

  14. What a lovely homecoming poem...So many make sacrifices for the sake of others - I guess this keeps the world's karma in balance somehow. Cheers, Linda!

    ReplyDelete

  15. Linda and Bren,
    I do sometimes make repeat visits. And what a pleasant surprise! Yes, quite a number of us use the same background. It's chic don't you think? I've had it from day one. The template is somehow kind to the eyes. And Linda is so nice about it. Thank you both!


    Hank

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Hank,

      Awww.......... =D It's great to see you back so soon. I do like this background, tres chic. I will keep it for fall but switch over to blue in winter. I do enjoy doing seasonal side bars. Thanks Hank. =D

      Delete

  16. i do so love happily after afters, and this one is great.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Sandra,

      Thank you so much! I love them too. Glad you came by. =D

      Delete

  17. I loved this story - just perfect:-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Jabblog,

      Thanks so much for leaving such a kind comment. =D

      Delete

  18. A very alchemical tale Linda, it must feel good to have recommisioned a room in this manner, thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Kutamun,

      Ahh..... the Plaza, a beautiful historic house, life is good!! Thanks for this fun comment full of dreams, Kutamun. =D

      Delete

  19. This is a lovely and most heartwarming story ... certain it was lived over and over ~ the returning after so many long years.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Helen,

      I guess the baby boomer generation is the happy result. I was born the next year. =D Thanks for leaving your heartwarming comment. *sigh*

      Delete

  20. Lovely Linda - you brought the room to life in a wonderful hopeful way.

    Anna :o]

    (Don't know whether this will appear twice as I had to rewrite as the original vanished into thin air...)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Anna,

      As far as I can tell, you are only here once, but still wonderful!! =D Thanks so much for the sweet comments, they are appreciated! =D

      Delete

  21. Oh lovely - a homecoming, with a promise of many happy times to come. I can almost imagine them moving from room to room, opening the shutters and pulling off the dustsheets!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Little Nell,

      I know and they are dancing while they work, aren't they? Such happiness!!! Thanks for stopping in and adding more joy! =D

      Delete
  22. Replies

    1. Sue,

      Thanks for coming by and leaving these kind words. =D

      Delete

  23. A beautiful and heartwarming write Linda!!

    ReplyDelete

  24. Carrie,

    Thank you for the thoughtful comments. I'm delighted you dropped by today. =D

    ReplyDelete

  25. I do so love happy endings and this one is perfect.

    ReplyDelete

  26. Bee&#39,

    Like you, I am a happy ending girl too. Thank you for coming by and thanks so much for these kind comments.=D

    ReplyDelete

  27. ...you were born the next year :). Well, I'm glad this home will be filled with happiness. I thought this home had a happy vibe.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Margaret,

      This home definitely has a happy vibe.... you just have to consider the patina. Thank you for stopping by to leave a little happiness. =D

      Delete
  28. Replies

    1. Gautami,

      Awwwww...... thanks so much! I love that you came for a visit and left this sweet comment. =D

      Delete



  29. I actually enjoyed reading through this posting.Many thanks.














    Certified Home Nurse in New York NY

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)