It's the 139th anniversary of Emily Dickinson's passing (May 15, 1886). I've always loved her work and felt a special kinship with her in some ethereal way I can't quite explain. I got to visit her home in Massachusetts a couple of years ago, and I got to speak with her, much to my surprise.
Honestly, I didn't know much about her personal life. The week before my visit, I was trying to decide what to wear on my trip. It was going to be really hot that day and I wasn't sure what would be most comfortable. I had chosen two options: a white summer dress or a multicolored summer dress.
My guides told me, "Wear the white," so I did. When I got there, I was really excited, but I didn't know what to expect. Speaking directly with her was not on my mind at all. I just wanted to get a feel for the place and experience her space with an open mind. I walked in, and it felt alive.
In a room that was like a library, I immediately was drawn to the books that were hers before the guide told us what they were. In the grand parlors, I would get a bit of a surprise. I was listening to the guide and I heard a woman's soft voice say loudly, "I died when I was about your age."
It felt like my heart skipped a beat and it started racing. I looked around the room. I asked the guide, "How old was she when she died?" He didn't know. Neither did I, until after the tour when I looked it up, and Emily died at exactly my age at the time of my visit. Anyway, the tour went on.
As we ascended the stairs, I heard the voice again say, "I like your dress." I whispered, "Thank you." I didn't know the significance until we got to her room -- in the center of the floor was a white dress that she always wore in her older days. She was known locally as the lady in white. 😳
Late in life, she was reclusive, but she had beautiful gardens. When I visited the garden, I felt the tingles of electric sparks all over my body, and I knew she was there. It was her favorite spot. I hope to visit again someday soon. Perhaps I'll stay longer in the garden.