Anna Whitcomb Muses about Riverrock a New England Family Saga, Whitcomb Woods, and other events of life

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It has been many a year since I wrote anything for this blog. I have been sort of preoccupied with grandchildren, family, being a board President of Cambridge Neighbors – an aging in place – nonprofit, and now I am thinking about what is next for me. President Jimmy Carter’s memorial service is tomorrow at the National Cathedral. He truly cared for the world.

In a few weeks we will have DJT sworn in as President again. Hard to believe, and for that matter scary for America’s future. Recently I have been enjoying reading Mary Oliver’s book Upstream, a selection of essays. Each essay is a joy and gem of exquisite writing, vivid, real, and reminds me of my walks in Whitcomb Woods as an child and adult. I was such fond memories of the trail, the crunch of oak leaves, the smell of the woods, and sitting peacefully on the large rock by the stream with the names of the family on the plaque pinned to the rock. My aunt and I used to go ice skating in the pond on the trail when it was very very cold .. like this week .. We would bring hot chocolate down in a thermos and put our skates on by the side of the pond. Friends in the neighborhood would join us. It was special. Many years later when I lived on Belmont Hill in an old farm house ( Netflix owner Reed Hastings) lived in our house.. I would walk back in the field and skate at night in another small overflow pond from the Belmont Day School. Such simple pleasures. My neighbor and I would skate in our nightgowns, and I would bring a lantern so we could see. I miss that ice, global warming has taken it away from us. I remember I skated on Spy Pond the 90s with my husband and son. We could glide for miles.. ( really many many yards) It was freedom at its best. No more. And very long ago they would cut blocks of ice from Spy Pond, for refrigeration and ice boxes – I often still call them the refrigerator, ice box.

The book sits on the shelf and I give a copy to people hoping someone will make it into a movie.. but maybe not. There are more chapters to add. Perhaps the real story is more compelling than what my mother wrote although lots of it is true. Let me just say my father and mother were both very difficult people and it was my aunt who truly supported me. As an only, without much support from my immediate family it was a blessing I had such a special aunt, a gift. Like Mary Oliver, she loved nature, and taught me to see the beauty, peacefulness, and meditative joy of the natural world. Now more than ever. Peace be with you.

Anna

 

Notes From the Editor.. Anna Whitcomb

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Riverrock: A New England Family Saga
July –2023

My mother’s novel was published 2018, a long journey to publish. This included editing, rewriting, and pulling together her story.

Today many years later, it is time to write an update. While my life has changed only slightly since the publication of my mother’s novel, the world has changed at a greater speed. These include but are not limited to:

  • The Covid-19 pandemic .
  • The radical right and its movement to destroy our democracy.
  • Racism in our country which is still bubbling away and fortunately the steps taken to address racial injustices.
  • The war and violence at home and abroad.
  • The rise of fascism and the current steps by NATO to unify.
  • Turning back the reproductive rights of women in our country and FDA approval of an over the counter drug to end pregnancy.
  • The LGBTQ movement which has created positive changes and more acceptance but still being pushed back.

The struggles continue. Climate change and global warming is the driving force creating unstableness of our world. Horrific storms, flooding, heatwaves, draught, fires, migration of peoples, famine, refugees and homelessness. We need to address climate change. Our earth is under pounding pressure from global warming. We are destroying Mother Earth.

My mother’s novel Riverrock: A New England Family Saga, illustrates the complexity of  “good and evil” it does truly exist in our world. Her chapter in the book (fire in the field) in Vermont is a metaphor to humankind that brings home the consequences of climate change and how the community can take action and bond together. Vermonters are work together and are resilient. This is what we need to do now to address climate change.

Today, the house in the story has been torn down. A neighbor bought some of the property and has built a modern house –International style. The land has been preserved along the Charles River in Dedham, MA – across from Wilson Mountain Reserve and entitled  Whitcomb Woods, a lovely walk with views of the Charles River. The large rock by the stream has been engraved with the names of the members of the family most have passed away,  and abutting the property is the assisted living complex – Newbridge on the Charles, a part of Hebrew Senior Life https://www.hebrewseniorlife.org/newbridge

Enjoy the book and visit the location mentioned. – Peace –

Anna

Themes You Remember

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Muses by Anna Whitcomb, daughter

The story of Riverrock sheds light on how families and specifically the father and mother may possess an inordinate amount of influence and control on individual members within the nuclear family and extend that control to an outsider entering into the family. Was that the main theme of Riverrock? Perhaps, but that is just one theme played out within the structure of the novel. Other themes exist: college life at the time of World War II, women’s role during WWII and the opportunities afforded them because of the war. However, one of the major themes centers on how women gain independence within society, but not without fight. Without giving away the story here, my main objective for publishing my mother’s book was to bring to light the many trials and tribulations women surmounted even when society was so systematically pushing against them.

The story is predominately fiction with threads of truth but I suspect that may be the case with every novel. Writers often craft their stories from their own experiences and we all relish a good story. It moves us and it stays with us. We remember it for weeks. I have heard from readers of Riverrock that the characters and story stays with them; they keep thinking about it.   Why I wonder? Perhaps, because it resonates with their own life or maybe a friend’s story they just heard.  This is a story that might stick with you for a while.