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Lyndsay Kaldor's avatar

Absolutely beautiful! Such a joy to learn more about you in this way, a beautiful weaving of the tapestry of your life so far. And happy birthday to you!! xx

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Annette Vaucanson Kelly's avatar

Thank you so much for your lovely words, Lyndsay. If anything, 50 feels life-affirming and I'm loving it! xx

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Anna Dempsey's avatar

Happy Birthday lovely Annette - sounds like a wonderful week with your folks. Your Mum's gift is so beautiful, fab photos

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Annette Vaucanson Kelly's avatar

Thank you so much Anna! Honestly, my parents being here for my birthday was the best gift (they don't travel much at all). Photos were taken at Kilmacurragh Botanic Gardens - maybe you know the spot?

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Anna Dempsey's avatar

oh so glad they could be there. I do know Kilmacurragh, such a gorgeous spot!

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Lindsay Johnstone's avatar

I love this post, your powerful poem and that you are celebrating 50 so thoroughly, Annette! Happy Birthday! X

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Annette Vaucanson Kelly's avatar

Thank you so much Lindsay! Somehow 50 feels momentous and liberating and life-affirming (rather than the beginning of a slow descent into invisibility), and I'm loving it!

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Jenny Scott's avatar

I love your poem so much!! I’m so glad you finished it! It had so much texture and poignancy. I could feel where and when you came from. The connection to land, family, and history. Amazing. (Also, I read The Famous Five growing up too! Those books are dear to me.)

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Annette Vaucanson Kelly's avatar

Thank you Jenny, it means a lot that my poem resonated so much. And yes, loved the Famous Five, Secret Seven and later Alice Detective (aka Nancy Drew, as I only found out yesterday). My daughter read the Famous Five too a few years ago, and that made me so happy!

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Rionach Aiken's avatar

I love this, Annette. Happy birthday and new decade! May it bring many blessings and unexpected riches in good ways.

This video, with a poem by Joseph Buckley, is similar and one I've loved for years.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwjMRcae4Ps&ab_channel=WeArePoetsFilm

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Annette Vaucanson Kelly's avatar

Thank you so much Ríonach, and thank you for sharing this spoken word poem. I have now added We Are Poets to my 'watch later' list!

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Racheblue Love's avatar

Congratulations! Beautiful poem, thank you x

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Annette Vaucanson Kelly's avatar

Thank you Rachel!

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Laura Kennedy's avatar

Happy Birthday Annette, so glad you have marked it well. Loved your poem, a beautiful reminder to me to look back over where I came from. Your Selkie circle sounds magical, unfortunately I'm not able to join this time. I'll keep an eye in case you run something similar again. Be well, Laura

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Annette Vaucanson Kelly's avatar

Aw thank you Laura, this poem is an amazing prompt, and one that can be used over and over again with different results. If I run the Selkie Circle again in the future, I'll be sure to let you know. Keep well x

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Kelly Hargie's avatar

Oh Annette, that poem is absolutely stunning. It gave me all the feels! Thank you foe sharing it with us x

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Annette Vaucanson Kelly's avatar

Thank you, Kelly, it was a nostalgic and joyful process writing it. So much came flooding back… Now you only need to make your way to France in August to meet this rosebush 🥀

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