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I have a question I pose at the end of this post:
If you could relive any moment in time, what would it be?
Before you answered, I thought I should share my own answer. Then I realized how hard it is to answer this question. Sorry! I could choose the births of my children, but I don’t want to experience all of it again. I could also choose my wedding day—that was pretty great.
One of the poems in my collection is called “Un-Perfect Moment,” which was inspired by a family party a couple of years ago, dancing outside with my cousins and my daughter. Many of my aunts and uncles were there.
“those blood-bond circles of life swirl
through the past and towards the future
you sweep away in a shared moment
as hot and sweet as summer’s breath”
It panged me at the time thinking that in a year or two or five, some people might no longer be there. And that captures me entirely—even in a blissful moment, my head can’t stay there. I’m always thinking back, looking forward.
So I tried to consider if there were times when I was just present. I recalled another summer on vacation. My husband and kids wanted to take surfboarding lessons in Santa Cruz. I had no interest in doing so. They got into gear and climbed down to the ocean. I stayed on top at a small sitting area with my laptop. While I revised on that perfect-weather day with others out there enjoying the day, some older guy played guitar and sang original songs. I revised while I enjoyed the music and periodically looked out at my family, little dots upon at sun twinkled waves.
That was a very good day.
With subtle wit, and poignant imagery, the unrelenting passage of time connects the vignettes in Theresa Milstein’s Time and Circumstance. This reflective collection of real and imagined poetry and prose, speculates on an erratic childhood, the uncertainty of adolescence, and the reality of parenthood, through flashbacks of love lost and found.
Theresa Milstein writes middle grade and YA, but poetry is her secret passion. Her vignette collection, TIME & CIRCUMSTANCE, will be published by Vine Leaves Press in March 21, 2017. She lives near Boston Massachusetts with her husband, two children, a dog-like cat, and a cat-like dog. For her day job, she works as a special education teacher in a public school, which gives her ample opportunity to observe teens and tweens in their natural habitat.
TIME & CIRCUMSTANCE is available for preorder!
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$3.99 AUD (eBook)
Kindle AUS
Kindle US
Kindle UK
Kindle CA
iBooks | Kobo | Nook
$12.99 AUD (paperback)
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Amazon CA
Barnes & Noble
Book Depository
Chapters Indigo
Leave a comment and you’re eligible to win a prize during my blog tour!
1 $25 Amazon gift card
1 signed paperback copy
1 ebook
Answer the question:
“If you could relive any moment in time, what would it be?”
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Winners will be announced on April 5, 2017
***
Thanks Theresa! There are so many wonderful moments in a life, but finding a perfect moment to return to... so hard. I think I'd choose a bright summer day when my hubby and I were teaching the kids to play t-ball. So much laughter and joy and love. One of those days full of potential.
How about you? What's your moment?
51 comments:
Thank you very much for hosting me, Jemi!
I can think of a few really good moments or days. But my memory might be better than the actual moment, so I'd rather not go back and risk ruining it.
I like the idea of being more present in the moment. Maybe a trip I took to Kenya where the travel just made me more anxious and I really needed to be more present. I agree with not reliving the births of children, ha!
We took a cruise in 2004 that was just a delight, especially our two stops. It would be fun to relive it. Or any moment on one of my favorite roller coasters.
Congrats on your book, Theresa! So excited for you. I've answered your question and my answer is the same. My wedding or day I met daughter on a dance floor in a hotel bar when we adopted her in China. That first moment I held her was priceless.
Big congrats, Theresa! I have a few moments I'd love to experience again. A few I can't mention. :-)
So glad you're here!!
That's SUCH a good point! We do tend to embellish those memories until they shine!
I'm with you there as well! Not going back to that! Although I'd love to see Kenya more than once! :)
You can have all of my allotted roller coaster time! :)
That must have been amazing! Good choice :)
LOL - those might be the best! :)
Hi Jemi! Hi Theresa! I enjoyed reading about your moment, Jemi. It's hard to distill life to precious moments when many of us are fortunate enough to have so many to look back on. On another of Theresa's posts, I said my first time arriving in Paris, so I stay with that...
Looking forward to seeing you on my blog soon, Theresa!
Denise :-)
That's a hard one. I guess I would relive the day my Dad died and tell him all the things I thought about later that I didn't get a chance to say.
Interesting perspective, Alex. Never underestimate the power of nostalgia.
Elizabeth, I can see how you'd want to relive something you wanted to enjoy more the first time. That happened to me once, probably for a different reason--I was on vacation, but I was stressed about spending $ the whole time.
L Diane Wolfe, relive a roller coaster? Ha, not me! I've never been on a cruise.
Natalie, I love both of those. :)
HaHa! Now you've got me curious, cleemckenzie.
Denise, I look forward to being on your blog ... many hours after you post it because of the time difference!
Susan, that's so sweet. That must've been so hard.
Congrats to Theresa! I'd pick a day where my kids were really little and a day where we laughed and snuggled.
Kelly, that sounds perfect. I'd love to revisit those times too.
Congrats Theresa. Picking one moment to relive would be hard. But it definitely gives you something to think about.
Congrats to Theresa on her new book!
Mason, that's probably a good sign that you have many good moments to think about. :)
Thanks, DEZMOND!
I would like to relive my tenth class reunion, it was a fun night, but that's not the reason I want to relive it. It was a point in my life where I had more confidence in my looks my style my ability and my belief that I could make a difference in people's lives. Somehow along the way I've lost my "powers". Just getting them back for a day could bring the old strong me back. Love your book T! If I win a signed copy I'll give away my well loved already, copy.
Sharon, I know what you mean. I miss young, in shape me too. :) xo
Yay, Theresa! Best of the best for your book. Best moment - wishing on a shooting star with my kiddos when they were wee folk. I think they'll always believe in magic because of that night.
Leslie, that sounds like such a sweet, fun moment. Thanks for sharing it!
Paris! Yep, I'd go along with that! :)
Good choice! I'd like to visit with my Dad again too
Love it! Those are the best times :)
It does!!
Ditto! :)
What a great choice, Sharon! Love that :)
That is perfect! Love it :)
Congratulations to Theresa on her new book! I enjoyed this post!
Hi Jemi!
Thank you, Nas!
Congrats to Theresa!
www.ficklemillennial.com
Hi! And me too :)
Congrats to Theresa!
Last year, in the weeks before my mother died, I had the privilege of spending many moments with her, sometimes in complete silence. I used to sleep so well in the same room as my mother. Don't we all? Sometimes, in the quiet moments of my hectic life I relive that time. You never get it back again. Congratulations to Theresa. Poetry is a very speial gift.
Thanks Gina :)
Thanks Olivia! :)
Agreed on all counts. Those quiet moments are so often filled with peace and love - very special!
Thanks, Gina!
Thank you, Olivia Rose!
Maria, that's really beautiful. Thanks for sharing. I'm sorry for your loss.
Thanks again for hosting me, Jemi. I've announced the winners on my blog.
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