Looking back at 2013
By Emma Palova
EW Emmas Writings Journal
I’ve experienced a very productive year, both professionally and personally. On January 15th, I started my blog with WordPress to increase public engagement for my memoir project “Greenwich Meridian.”
The readership has grown from zero to nearly 200 followers in less than one year. As a lover of new things, I found a new passion in writing online, designing and search engine marketing.
My trophy case with WordPress says, “You are a prolific publisher. Why don’t you blog about it.”
As I learned the nuts and bolts of the business, I continued to explore my memories. The memoir tells a story about the family immigration saga that now spans three generations.
Here is an excerpt from Chapter 4- “The life of returned immigrants in communist Czechoslovakia.” It covers our return from the USA to the homeland in 1973 based on the presidential amnesty.
When we finally got out of a week-long nightmare at the quarantine Trebotov, it wasn’t exactly how I envisioned our homecoming. I was shocked at the dilapidated state of villages and towns in Bohemia and Moravia.
“Mom why is everything so old and ugly?” I asked innocently.
“It’s an old country my dear,” she smiled. “This is were you and I belong.”
“How can you say that after what we’ve been through at the quarantine?”
Due to chronic shortage of housing, we moved in with my paternal grandparents in Stipa. Neither mom nor I were used to being constantly pestered, not to speak about my brother Vas. Both grandparents, who were educators, were strict and prompt.
“Don’t touch that, don’t use that much water,” resonated through the house.
To this day, the house and my late uncle Antonin remain a mystery to me, and that was one of the reasons why I travelled to Europe last September.
But, back to Moments in time 2013.
In March I went to Florida for a retreat and an interview with my parents Ella & Vaclav Konecny who started the immigration saga in mid 1960s. See posts “Interview with my parents for Greenwich Meridian on March 10th, 13th & March 17th.
April brought flood waters to Lowell and Grand Rapids, the two communities that are the closest to where I live.
As far as my blog goes, I started adding pages covering local stories and interesting people. I will continue this with more inspiring area people into 2014.
One of the most heartbreaking moments came in July.
The Whites Covered Bridge burnt in Smyrna, which upset the history lover in me.
To be continued……
Copyright © 2013 story and photos by Emma Palova
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