The Library
Wonder, nature, folklore, culture, creativity.
I write about all sorts.
This is a selection of my writing.
More recent work is on Substack.
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The Woman Who Collects Signs
We got married in Italy. And for a country famous for love and grand romantic gestures, the wedding vows were surprisingly practical. I remember reading them for the first time and being a bit disappointed at how unromantic they were. No poetry. No promises of eternal love. They were more like a job description. All…
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The Classroom We Don’t See
My first parents evening was spent on a tiny chair, looking through a tray of scribbles. I spent my last one sat at home looking at a screen on Zoom. Reflecting on how much the role of ‘school mum’ has shaped my life. I was crying before it even started. I’m awe of teachers but…
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Home and Away
I held it together (only just) on Monday as I left my son at the airport. His first trip away from home. I heard and felt that familiar ache of homesickness when I received his first call home. And in all the messages after that. We’ve all felt it. That yearning feeling to be at…
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In the Space Between Doing and Being
Last Christmas was so different. It is usually a much needed rest followed by a surge of energy ready to make plans for the new year ahead. A few days before Christmas, on the winter solstice, I had closed the doors on a business that had been my life for years. It wasn’t just a…
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A December “Not-To-Do” List
I often write notes and letters to my future self—little reminders about where I was and where I am now. This particular note was written by frazzled, end-of-Christmas me, determined to save future me from the same fate. A letter version of A Christmas Carol. In it, I gave myself a not to do list:…
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Lost and Found
This year has been full ofchange for me. After 14 years of running Baba+Boo, I closed the doors to a community that meant so much to me. It would have been our 15th birthday next week and I still desperately miss the connection we shared. The laughter, the stories, the feeling of being part of…
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Proper Post
On my alternative to do list for February was a task to write a love letter. This is an ode to a friend that I wanted to share online because that is where our friendship lives. I’ve always loved writing. Especially letters. I had so many pen pals when I was younger before communication was…
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Sixteen
Milestones and birthdays were my weak link as a mum when my children were young. I remember crying when my son went up a size of babygrow. When he lost his first tooth, it nearly broke my tear ducts. I know now that came from a place of fear. A fear of missing the boy…
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Fourteen
I’m a sentimental mum. I would cry at the smallest passage of time as your brother grew. Losing of his baby teeth. Going up a vest size would leave me sobbing. Birthdays would leave me emotional. But not with you. Watching you grow has been joyous. You leap into each stage of new independence. Always…
By Eve Bell 