Sunday 23 October 2011

Spoken Word Blog Round Up

Joining with Angie at Still Life with Circles in the Spoken Word Blog Round Up

I tried to find a quiet time in which to record this but just to warn you that you can hear a child (Reuben to be precise) crying faintly in the background on the audio. I haven't abandoned him to his fate, his father is trying to rock him to sleep as it's getting late here and it's past his bed time. I'm afraid I'm simply not brave enough to try recording this again! Once made me nervous enough.


40 comments:

  1. I remember that post - it was so poignant at the time and hearing your beautiful voice just makes it very special.

    Thank you for daring to upload - it's an incredibly weird sensation isn't it!?

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  2. It is so strange and wonderful to actually see and hear you. And as soon as you mentioned the name of the post, I remembered it and loved it all over again. I can almost see the names crystalizing, floating up as the snow falls down, as you say them out the window into the cold. And, yes, what could be more graceful than their names.

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  3. Oh Catherine. I'm glad you were brave enough to post. You made me cry.

    I remember that day, although we hadn't met yet. I went out to the coast to photograph the sunrise. I shared the picture here.

    That winter was so long, so cold, so hard.
    xxx

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  4. Wow your words are even more beautiful when read out loud.

    Simply a breathtaking reading.

    I became choked up in hearing you talk about saying all of their names into the wind. In a traffic jam, in the snow, on the way home after a long day...I find that to be a perfect time to remember all of these little ones who have left us to soon.

    Thank you for finding the courage to post this. I absolutely loved it.

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  5. That is seriously one of the most beautiful things I have ever heard. Your voice gives it such a depth and richness. I remembered immediately when you started this post, but God, Catherine, I was blubbering. It has been a while since I blubbered, but that was beautiful. So gorgeous. I think I want to hear you read every post you have written...(no pressure.) Thank you for saying her name. It is beautiful out of your mouth. xo

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  6. this is so overwhelmingly moving and beautiful

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  7. Catherine. Oh my goodness. Oh my gorgeousness. Thank you so much for being so brave. There are no words to describe how I feel after seeing and hearing you read out your beautifully sad experience in the traffic jam. I am lost for any words right now. Angie - thank you for starting this x

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  8. I have a feeling this project is going to be so very special.
    I just loved seeing/hearing this.
    You're a beautiful soul, Catherine.
    xo

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  9. I keep thinking about that "Who was that?" post that you did. I have been having so many similar feelings since bringing out little one home. I keep thinking "Did all that really happen? Did we really lose our son and then spend over 4 months trying to parent our survivor in the NICU? Who was that little baby who spent way too little time on this earth?" I just keep coming back to all of these thoughts. It is nice to know (although I wish no one else had to) that there are others out there who have had similar feelings...and that' i'm not just crazy!

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  10. Oh, it was so good to see you and hear you. I can see you stuck on your motorway saying children's names into the cold snowy air. I can feel the warmth of your tears on your face. I imagine they must feel like mine. How empty and full of longing the names can be without the babies that we wish we had here with us...but yet, sometimes it is all we have besides the memories of them inside us or the idea of them, the memories we planned on making. Their names would have fit them had they lived and even though they are dead...their names seem to invoke some idea of who they might have been. Thank you so much for sharing. You are beautiful and your voice is lovely too.

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  11. Catherine, it's so wonderful to hear your voice, and it's exactly as I heard it in my head.
    I remember that post,I thought it was beautiful then, but hearing you speak it makes it more so.
    Thank you for being brave and sharing. x

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  12. Now I'm crying like a baby that won't go to sleep. This was just beautiful.

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  13. Wow Catherine. Thankyou so much for your bravery and sharing yourself reading this post (which I hadn't read). This stopped me, grounded me, centred me. With my chin in my hands you had my full attention. It felt like I was in that car with you on that snowy day.
    For Georgina, for all the babies who went far too soon, they are remembered.
    Thankyou again. xo

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  14. "An artist is someone who suffers and creates.
    A critic is the same except he neither suffers nor creates."
    Kierkegaard

    I once read that being in a person's home, in their personal space, gives a good idea of who they are, what they value. Ever since, I have noticed people's personal spaces even more. What do they decide to put on the walls? What do they leave off? What colors do they choose, where do they place them, and how do they mix them or move them throughout the space? What do their choices say?

    Catherine W., your spaces are radiant with meaning and depth.

    Penetrating, perceptive, insightful, beautiful.

    There was a catch in my throat your whole reading through. Hollywood (or whoever makes all these movies) will try as long as it stands to film something moving me more than you just did - and never succeed.

    Watching this, I wish to be less like me and more like you. You have such an effortless gentleness. I struggle so much with anger. Even in all the pain, your kindness shines.

    Georgina, your mother is an artist who suffers and creates. Why can't the whole world do the same?

    Really, any time you think of posting something like this: Do It.

    So thankful,

    Cathy in Missouri

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  15. I'm thankful you were brave enough to post this. (I have just done my 54th recording and messed it up in the end. Try again tomorrow...)

    I clearly remember this post of yours and how much I bawled reading it. Even more beautiful when being read by your beautiful voice. It was a real pleasure to "meet! you.

    Much love to you and yours! xo

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  16. You beautiful, amazing woman. Thank you, thank you, for being brave and generous and sharing yourself this way. I am so grateful for the chance to see and hear you, and I love your choice of posts and the way you read it.

    Also, it's funny - I feel closer to being in the same room with you and also wish more than ever that I really could be. Silly, uncooperative geography.

    Love to you.

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  17. stunning...you have taken my breath away.

    Thank you for being so brave.

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  18. So absolutely beautiful. This made me feel like I was watching a movie. Your words plus your voice make something truly magical. Thank you!

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  19. wow. brave, and beautiful and just breathtaking. thank you for sharing with us.

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  20. Beautiful. Human. Brave. Thank you for speaking. All blogs should be read aloud by their authors.... x Louise

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  21. Thank you, Catherine. I hadn't read that particular post before (sorry, I'm an oldie as you know and at the same time, relatively new to babyloss blogs and it's taking me a while to read through the older entries of everyone's).

    Anyway, your words, spoken by you, just resonate so much with me. There's such a profound beauty to them and they're timeless really. That post could have been written six months ago or three years from now.

    Thank you again, for being so brave and generous of spirit ♥

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  22. You are beautiful Catherine. I remember that post. I so enjoyed hearing your voice and getting to put a face, and voice to your beautifully haunting words.

    Big love to you, I am so so glad you shared.

    xoxo

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  23. Thank you so much.

    I always feel failure creeping up when I try to leave a comment on your blogs, because your writing is so lovely.

    Thank you for sharing so much of your story.

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  24. this is my first time on your blog- i followed your ink from still life. this was lovely and heart wrenching- thank you for your bravery
    liz

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  25. Oh, Catherine, I don't even know what to say. It was so lovely to hear your voice and hear your love for Georgina and all of our lost babies so palpable in that voice. I agree with Sarah above-- I always feel so inadequate trying to post anything that could ever be worthy of the beauty you create here. What an incredibly special way to honor your dear girl.

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  26. I agree that it is quite sad. I’ve had a weird balance between not wanting to make people awkward and being a what-you-see-if-what-you-get type of person. I have found that when I mention her seamlessly within a conversation, it seems to go well. When I’m awkward, it’s awkward.

    I like this idea of reading something, but as an irregular writer who hasn’t really done a big post, I’ll just be a voyeur for now.

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  27. Dearest Cath.. what a beautiful post written and recorded by a beautiful mother. It was so wonderful to hear you read this aloud.. I rested my head on my bed and just listened. Although it is warm here in the southern region of the US I could almost feel the crisp cold you describe. Almost feel the melting snow hitting my warm skin. And almost hear the names floating across the stars.
    love to you always....

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  28. I'm so glad you decided to post this beautiful piece. It is so nice to see you, to hear the voice that is connected to such poetic writing.

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  29. Hauntingly beautiful post. I've just come across your blog, so I look forward to reading through the archives. xx

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  30. Wow that was so so beautiful. Thank you so much for reading it for us.
    - Kari

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  31. Beautiful, Catherine - just really lovely to hear your words. sending so much love. xo

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  32. oh wow, this was so moving to hear! what a cool idea...i love it. i would not be brave enough to post anything. you are courageous and an inspiration, catherine.

    ~r.

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  33. Brilliant! Completely brilliant, and so brave. xoxo

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  34. I love, love your writing so much. Thank you for doing this.

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  35. Thank you for sharing ~ amazing!

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  36. I love your voice and your video ♥

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  37. Your voice is beautiful...your heart is beautiful as it shines through this video...and your post was beautiful. Thank you for being brave enough to bare your soul.

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  38. Beautiful. I could listen to your voice all day...thank you for sharing your video.

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  39. This is beautiful. I still talk to my dead children too. I also try to avoid moments without distraction too. They seem so dangerous. I love that you whispered their names in the car. That is so special and brings tears to my eyes. You read that so beautifully. I'm so glad you posted it.

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  40. Georgina - you made your mother magical.

    and brave, so very, very brave. Now, i might just participate in this project, too.

    xxoo

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