BLOG 1, #Evolution theory

I am writing this from beyond the grave on behalf of my husband. He of course cannot respond himself since he has made it clear that he does not believe in an afterlife, and hence isn’t officially here. Even though he keeps asking me what I am writing, and whispers in my ear whenever he wishes to add something (just as he did when we were on earth – plus ça change, as I am told the French say). However if anyone is receiving these messages from me then it must be evident that there is a heaven whatever he may think. I have always been something of a scatterbrain when it comes to science (which is why I still find parts of his grand theory of evolution difficult to follow) and I have no idea how this modern method of communication works, but work it seems to do even from here. So evidently the Lord really does move in mysterious ways!

They tell me this is called a blog. Why I have no idea, and I have to say I find it an extremely ugly word. Why can’t they call it a letter, or a message, or even a celestial dispatch? Perhaps it is some form of acronym – standing for Broadcasting Love Of God, or some such. Charley will have none of such religious thinking of course. He simply says if the state of the world is an example of the Love of God then he cannot imagine what the Wrath of God might produce! I dare not say that perhaps the state of the world is due to man bringing the wrath of God down upon his head, because I know from experience that C will immediately tie me in knots with his rational arguments against such conjecture (as he did so often about the divinity of Jesus Christ). But there – how does one explain the concept of faith to a logical mind. I cannot depart from what I have been taught to believe since the cradle.

Now, why am I writing this? Well, the fact is that I found whilst alive that composing my journal every day was one of the most therapeutic of tasks, as well as providing a record of the doings of my extraordinary family. I have since found the habit hard to shake off, and in truth I also need some form of occupation in this place, which, although perfectly beautiful and inspirational, does lack a little of the – how shall I say it? – excitement of life on planet earth. Perfection is all very well, but sometimes one does pine for the variety, the uncertainty, the contrast of bodily existence. Of course I am relieved to be free from the evils of crime, tragedy and war (humanity is still very primitive – I agree with my husband on that at any rate), but as I described at length in the aforementioned journal, I appreciated the challenge of life on earth.

I gave strict instructions at the time that my journal was an intensely private and personal affair, and was not to be divulged to anyone. However I have since heard that after I departed that world one of my sons took it upon himself to print and distribute copies amongst the family, claiming that it was far too valuable a record of our eventful life to keep secret. Disobedient boy! (I still think of him as my boy, even though he has long since joined us here, like his siblings, all bearing their honours and knighthoods which makes me even more proud than it does them). His action was flattering to me no doubt, but the danger is that, now copies exist, one or more will eventually be discovered and, because of my husband’s fame and reputation, broadcast to the world. The thought of all our large family’s ups and downs, our triumphs and tragedies, our most intimate arguments and discussions becoming common knowledge, appals me. It appals Charles also. We have always been private people – it was one reason why C took so long to allow publication of his major works. He knew full well the storm of controversy his discoveries would invoke, and controversy was ever the last thing my mild mannered Charley sought. However the indications from earth are that the search is already on to find my precious journal. Apparently the story of the hunt can already by found through this same magical medium of ‘cyberspace’ that I am using to send this message. It seems modern progress means that all things will soon be available to all men. Is this a good thing, I ask myself? I have always been taught that a certain amount of privacy and discretion was desirable, but then I know that many of our so-called Victorian values have since been discarded, and the world is now a very different place.

Ah well, if the publication of my journal adds some excitement to the present lives of earthlings, and even better, some enlightenment as to what Charley’s discoveries really mean for the future and welfare of mankind, then I suppose it cannot be a bad thing. Perhaps indeed it is part of God’s plan for rehabilitation of the species. I will ask him when I next see him. (I will post his answer, if any, in my next ‘blog’.)

I will finish now. This has been quite an entertaining experience. I look forward to writing more about our existences here and on earth, and even to perhaps receiving some response from whoever out there might have unwittingly stumbled upon my message!

Emma Darwin.

P.S. For those interested in the tale of my journal, and I am hesitant to say, in Charles’s own secret and extremely controversial writings, more information can be found at http://sbpra.com/RobinHawdon