Sunday, 14 March 2010

Africa Adieu, Hambe Kahle Renee & Illustration Friday - ‘subterranean’

 

one man band

 

We must declare ourselves, become known; allow the world to discover this subterranean life of ours which connects kings and farm boys, artists and clerks. Let them see that the important thing is not the object of love, but the emotion itself.

Gore Vidal

 

Hello again, dear bloggy friends.    I got back to Norfolk on Thursday after the most glorious, amazing, astonishing heaven and earth birthday holiday you could ever imagine in the Seychelles and my beloved Africa.  I did however get a bit side-tracked towards the end of our month away by an almighty collapse which had me spending several days in the ICU at Panorama Hospital in Cape Town. Absolutely world class doctors and nurses who saved me from popping off this mortal coil – how lucky am I? Then four days of rest and recuperation overlooking breathtaking views of the sea, the sky - and a whale who came to say hello – before being cleared for take-off.  Escorted like a movie star back to Englando with nurse and lots of energizing oxygen. Will catch up with everyone when I stop wobbling in a day or so. Love, love, love to you all.

crested crane.hemel&aardeCrowned Crane in flight ~ Hemel & Aarde valley, Cape Overberg ~ February 2010

It was with great sadness and shock that I learned on my return that a very special  blog friend, Renee of Circling My Head had died after an enormously courageous fight against Inflammatory Breast Cancer. It was in so many ways that Renee’s life enriched ours.  I thank her for her love and friendship, for her intelligence and poise, for her vibrant irreverence and wit – and especially  for her courage which was an inspiration to us all.  Renee was, and will always remain a legend.  I miss you so much darling sisterfriend  - and I reach out across that sky we share and send warm  love to your precious family in this time of their pain.

Ah, the company of birds

I loved and cherished on earth

Now, freed of flesh we fly

Together, a flock of beating wings,

I am as light, as feathery,

As gone from gravity we soar

In heavenly circles.

Sasha Moorsom (1931-1993)

Kwaheri, Renee

31 comments:

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

So sorry to hear of your illness and collapse while away in your beloved Africa. Hopefully, you were where you wanted to be to recuperate. A speedy recovery to you, now that you are home.

A beautiful tribute to dear Renee.

Take care.

Rosaria Williams said...

So good to see you back. Hopefully, you'll take the time to heal properly. So sorry for what you've gone through. You were missed, my dear Tessa.

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

I am so sorry you had such drama on your lovely trip!! I do hope you are feeling much better now. It makes me smile to think of you in Africa. I know what it means to feel connected in a special way to a land far away, and I'm so happy you went back to your special place. Rest up now. And remember.

Irene said...

I feel ill qualified to write a comment, having not done so in so long, but my thoughts and best wishes go out to you, Tess, and I hope you are healthy and well and safe at home after your long and interesting journey. I'm sorry about your friend Renee. I just lost my favorite aunt myself. Sadness comes quite unexpected sometimes.

Take good care of ourself.

Angela said...

Dearest Tessa, you promised to come visit me, so don`t sneak away before you did! I`m glad you were well taken cre of, and that whale surely made you smile, but oh, I gasped when I read your words! Please treat yourself gently. With great concern, Angela

Elizabeth said...

Gosh, so glad you are back in one piece from your amazing trip.
Do hope your health is stabilized.
I have been thinking about you a lot.
Let's hope spring comes early to Norfolk this year....
lots of love

Linda Sue said...

DANG Tessa- Sorry about the slap down! Glad to see you are back, however- I have selfishly wished you back!

DILLIGAF said...

Glad you're ok babe and glad you had a great time before keeling over. That's often the way with me actually but I don't usually end up in hospital...;-)

Clicked the link and had a read.

I don't often cry. Keep it to yourself...street cred you know.

One very brave lady. Only the good eh? Only the good....

Mim said...

Sorry to hear that you weren't well, but glad that you are getting better. I was just looking at your gorgeous print that I got thru you and Renee and marveling at it, I love it so!!
So sad about Renee - but she she sure did alot of good in this world!

Silke Powers said...

Oh, sweet Tessa, I am so sorry that your vacation ended with such a bang! But happy that you were able to enjoy most of it!!

Renee's passing has reverberated around the world and into the universe. I will miss her dearly!

Much love, Silke

Madame DeFarge said...

Glad to hear that you're on the mend, but sorry about your friend. Hope you'll be back to fighting fitness soon.

Elizabeth Musgrave said...

Glad you are on the mend - what a shock even to read so heaven knows what it was like to live.
Hope you are recovering well at home.
That poem is a stunning tribute to your friend.

Ellen Byrne said...

Your work is very, very beautiful. Intriguing.

studio lolo said...

Oh my Tessa. I'm so glad you fought through that scare. Thank goodness for the medical team you had! It wouldn't surprise me if sweet Renee had a hand in that too.

I hope you're stronger now and feeling better each day.

~blessings~
Laurel

xxx said...

Welcome home,
Very sorry to read that you have been unwell. I sincerely hope that you are well on the road to recovery.

Very sad news about our beautiful Renee... she has left us with a lot of wonderful loving memories.
She shared her wonderful gift for expressing love.

take care
be well
Ribbon

Ces Adorio said...

And you my dearest friend, I am happy to hear you are back and present. I love you.

Cheryl Cato said...

So glad you are safely home & I hope recuperating well. Rest & heal well.

Your words for Renee & her family are beautiful. A wonderful tribute to a true legend.

L'Adelaide said...

i am so sorry to hear you were not well during your lovely trip but it does sound like it was a lovely trip nonetheless...such a sad thing was this passing of a woman i wish i had known...and this poem does such tribute to her spirit...be well, my friend.
xoxo

karen said...

Hi Tessa. Sorry to hear of your illness at the end of what must have been a stunning holiday, but at least you have made it back in one piece, and hope you are taking it easy and getting better every day. The photo of the crane in flight is breathtaking!

Sarah Lulu said...

And I was missing you ...I felt your heart a day or two ago.

Carol said...

It's great to have you back...there was definitely a 'Tessa' shaped hole in blogland!

I am so glad you had a fabulous time but really sorry to hear about your collapse towards the end of your holiday. That must have given you one hell of a fright!! Take it easy hon, and make sure you get loads and loads of TLC.

My condolences go to you and the family of your friend.

C x

kj said...

so there was a reason why i've worried about you. i am so glad to see you and your fabulous art back. several times renee told me how much you meant to her, tessa. and it's totally clear why.

i look at your artwork every day, first and last thing. i'm grateful and gleeful to know you, dear friend.

love
kj

INDIGENE said...

Oh my, it sounds like a trip to remember! I'm very happy that you are save and recovering! I've missed your beautiful vivid work and I am so looking forward to the new work, that has been inspired by your trip.
Rest easy dear one.

kendalee said...

So pleased to hear you're back safe and sound Tessa, that you enjoyed some good times first, then had great care in a crisis, were treated to a very special whale visit, and hope you are now feeling stronger every day. You've been missed.

I'm so sorry that you returned to the very sad news about Renee - my heart goes out to you for the loss of your friend. She was an exceptional woman.

Lori ann said...

Tessa,
i am so worried for you. your words are as always so gentle for us, and dear renee, but for yourself i fear it's putting a huge scare into your family. i hope and pray you will be well and fight this thing that has you stopping in hospitals and for bedrest.
You are the most selfless person i've met here in the blogworld and deserve only the very very best.
i'm so glad the whale made you smile!
i'm sending prayers for good health to you.
love, lori

Grace Albaugh said...

So good to have you back Tessa. I'll keep you in my prayers for health and perfect recovery.

With warm wishes.

Karin Bartimole said...

Dear Tessa, A beautiful tribute to our amazing sister friend. How deeply she touched and inspired so many of us - she truly continues to inspire me.

I am so glad that you received quality care and gentle care being safely delivered for your travels. Wishing you continued healing as you gain strength, tapping into the awesome power of whale medicine!! What greater creature on earth to visit you on your journey?
love and healing, Karin

Tess said...

Thankful that you are safely returned ... thankful that joy was still a part of your journey ... thankful that your words still flow :)

valerie walsh said...

A most beautiful and touching painting sweet Tessa and I am so happy to hear of your wondrous adventures and hope you will share once you have recuperated and are well once more :D

Eleonora Baldwin said...

I rarely come back to blog posts I've visited and commented, but today I surfed back here, just on a whim.
I notice that the comment I had left is not here...
It wasn't much, just a prayer and a smile. Glad you're back from your holiday and wishing you well of your prompt recovery.

Wnated to know more of Africa, but your later posts revealed some. Still waiting for more though!

This is late for this post, but I love you and hope you're feeling much much much better than when you posted this.

Love,
Lola xx

justdoodleit said...

Gorgeously bold, love the boy playing the flute.