Friday, August 15, 2008

PSF- Healing Waters

PhotoStory Friday
Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek


When I was a teenager and all my teenagery angst would get to be too much for me I would run to my secret escape on the shores of Lake Michigan. I would sit with my notebook in hand and pour my deepest thoughts, worries, and heartbreaks onto it's pages. All my high school drama would wash away with the roll of the waves and I would be lulled into a quiet submission.

I don't know what it was exactly that was so stressful in my life back then. Perhaps school. Or friends. Maybe boyfriends, or lack thereof. Homework and my job. Maybe it was just me trying to figure out who I was. Who I am. Who I wanted to be. Maybe that was the stress.

Whatever it was I worked it out. I know who I am now. There is no doubt about that. I don't have homework or a "job", and I certainly don't have boyfriend issues. And yet the stress in my life has multiplied many times over. Only now, even though that same secret serene escape is still where it always was, I am unable to get to it. It is so close and yet so far. And after having a day like I've had today oh how I could use that quiet retreat.

I try it anyway. I go to the spot. Only this time I'm not alone. I bring three other parts of me to feel the strength of the healing secret too. But they are too busy to notice and I am too happy to care. This time it is not the waves that calm me but pure joy. I watch them pick up rocks and throw them in. I watch them splash in the pooled water on the rock's uneven surface. And I watch them hold hands as they are mesmerized by the water. Magically my stress is gone.

And I know that I will have that serene, quiet, alone time at my now not-so-secret spot much too soon.

67 comments:

Anonymous said...

Beautiful PSF! The pictures,the story, all of it!

Gina said...

Such an awesome post. It gave me a lump in my throat. Then I love the beautiful shot of the children looking out onto the water. Just perfect.

Corey~living and loving said...

WOW! What a great post! Seriously...fabulous! thanks for sharing.
happy PSF!

Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious? said...

What a great reflection spot!

And a sweet, sweet picture of your boys.

Anonymous said...

I had a similar spot, we grew up in England in a little fishing port. Would often head to the beach or the cliffs to think. We're very lucky we had places to go a lot of kids don't. Lovely post and I still want your camera. Love your pics.

Kirst

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful recollection! There's some magical thing about great bodies of water, very great t stare at and contemplate.

My PSF entry is posted HERE. Hope you can hop by as well if you have the time. Thanks!

Unknown said...

What a lovely read that was Kathryn. Thanks for sharing with us...

Tammy said...

Lake Michigan is in my backyard as well. I grew up a few blocks from the lake and now take my own kids there as well. Cute picture.

dawn klinge said...

This was such a beautiful post, we all need those kinds of spots to go and reflect, find peace. How wonderful that you have three beautiful boys to share that with now.

Mom24 said...

That's so beautiful, and so true! You're smart to realize it, but sometimes when they're driving you crazy, it still doesn't help. Have a wonderful weekend.

scrappysue said...

great post. maybe your children will come to the same spot when they are older

Kristen said...

That was beautiful Kathryn!

How fun to be able to sit and see life go full circle with your boys!

Happy weekend friend! :)

tiarastantrums said...

THAT was a GREAT post!!
Lovely photos!

Ashley said...

Doood...your place here looks magnificent! I'm loving it!! And, I love this post. So sweet, so wonderful.

painted maypole said...

i have always gone to the shore for my healing time, too. in college my dorm was across the street from lake michigan. I would go there in the middle of the night sometimes, just to be calmed by the waves

Brittany said...

Beautiful PSF! Look at those boys!! :)

Cecily R said...

I LOVE your reflection spot. I dreamed of one like that when I was all angsty and teenagery. It really is beautiful.

That last shot of your kids? PERFECTION. Really. A framer for sure.

Dani said...

I love the picture!! I stopped here by way of Motherhood for Dummies. Your site is great!

Cynthia said...

Great post...love the pic that goes with it!

Robyn said...

I sooo know what you mean, but for me it was lake Superior. There is nothing like it. It is the one thing I miss.
The shot with your boys is beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful story. And the two pictures are just perfect.

dianna said...

Ahhh, pure bliss.
These are the days friend*!*
LOVE that sweet photo.

Katney said...

Wonderful thoughts. And you are right, it all goes by so quickly and youa re back at that serene quiet by-yourself-ness again. But there comes a time, then, that you know it is to be--it is right--and they will take theirs to the shore to throw the rocks into the surf.

(Check out my skywatch post on Katney's Kaboodle. It is so different and yet so the same.)

Anonymous said...

wow- you're soooooo lucky to have a place like this. I.MUST.MOVE.NEAR THE OCEAN before I die. yep. Serenity indeed.

Ryanne said...

Sounds like you can now get greater perspective at your oh so secret retreat with the little ones in tow. Life can be busy, crazy and scary at times, but isn't it good to know you have family to love you? Great story. Thank you so sharing!

Rose said...

A wonderful post. I know those days, luckily right now I can retreat to the Pacific ocean. What a blessing that is.

BTW, I'm busy for a week and your whole blog changed - it's gorgeous! I love it!

Anonymous said...

Everybody needs a little time away, I know there are places I run to when I need that break. Lately it's been my car, but with gas prices on I just humm and pretend that I'm driving somewhere.

Lisa said...

I was just thinking the other day about how the ocean is my place like that. It has a calming effect on me like no other - too bad I'm completely land-locked in Iowa, huh?

Beautiful post, Kathryn. It gave me chills. "Only this time I'm not alone. I bring three other parts of me to feel the strength of the healing secret too"....so true. These kids of ours carry our hearts, don't they?

Kelly said...

THAT was an awesome post, it brought a little tear to my eyes.

kimmy said...

Sharing special memories or moments with your children is truly the best medicine. Beautiful post Kathryn!

Kimmy

Anonymous said...

Well said. I had the end of the dock at our old house on Stratton Lake. The water was incredibly soothing. Now I have a walk in the woods--no water.

Karen Deborah said...

Precious story, isn't it amazing how we all suffered with teenge angst? Yet, there you are a the shore with three beautiful sons. God is good.
The new look for your blog is so fun and DESIGNER,, how did you do it? Thanks for the tips about the blog roll thingie, I can read from there now but not comment. I kinda miss the "whole" experience of visitng a blog but it's good when there isn't much time.
thanks again.

MomOf4 said...

I love the picture of your children looking out at the water and holding hands! Awesome!

Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional said...

There's nothing in the world like a Serene Spot.
I love that you could share it with your boys!

Julie Pippert said...

How very lovely this post is...and I can so relate to the sentiment.

Cyndi said...

I feel like I have said this a lot lateyly here, but that is such a sweet picture of those boys. Those curls are just too cute.

I had a tree that I liked to sit under when I was a teenager.

Lindsay said...

That's so cool. Funny how that works - I went back to college the other day with my family for a "feed" and I walked in the same halls I walked for four years...back when I thought life was so complicated and hard and stressful, and didnt think I had any free time. Oh how wrong I was. Amazing what a little life experience brings you. Great PSF!

Carrie and Troy Keiser said...

Beautifully written! Great pictures of your spot! Life car sure be stressful with kids, but it is oh, so worth it! Here's to more times enjoying the spot together!

G-Man said...

What is it about Wisconsin anyway?
Every single chick from that state is Strikingly beautiful!
You have a lovely blog, I've seen you at lime's. Have a great week!
Galen

Anonymous said...

I feel the exact same way about water and Lake Michigan in particular, even if from the Chicago side that will always be home.

Cute new profile picture, too!

María said...

I loved this post! So beautiful!

CC said...

So gorgeous! :)

lime said...

it's so good to have a spot like that and even better to pass it on. so beautiful.

Wendy said...

Your boys are so sweet holding hands like that!

Bren said...

Beautifully written post, Kathryn! And that last shot is so sweet!

MamaGeek @ Works For Us said...

I feel ya. When I lived in Port Washington on Lake Michigan - it's vast beauty was calming - almost as calming as that last shot. Beautiful.

GoteeMan said...

What a totally awesome experience!

J/

Laski said...

I'm betting that special place just got a whole lot more special . . .

Wendi said...

How beautiful is this post Kathryn?
I love it!
Thanks so much for sharing.

CissaLynn said...

Awww! What a sweet post! I, too, have a place I go for peace and serenity!!! It is the most special to be able to share that and pass it on to our little ones!!! I hope they get as much from it as we do!!! :))

Thank you for stopping by and saying hello to me!!! It was a nice surprise and meant a lot to me!!! :))

Rebecca Ramsey said...

What a poetic post!
I love it!
Becky

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous pictures. I felt as though as was there too.

CJ xx

Fire Hunt said...

Wow that was a good post and You always have Gorgeous photos.

Jaysi said...

What a great thing to share with your kids. Even if it means it will never really be the same for you. Nothing ever is once we have kids, right?

Momisodes said...

So beautifully written and captured in photos. I can see what this is your favorite spot :) So sweet of you to share it.

Anonymous said...

I think it's beautiful and poetic that you share your sacred space with the boys and find that it makes it all the more special, Kathryn.

kristen said...

Beautiful Post
Gorgeous photo to end it.

Take care
Kristen

ConverseMomma said...

I have a similar spot near the local beach. Whenever I am stressed, I head towards water. It must be because I'm a water sign.
Beautiful pics!

Roxy Wishum said...

Wow! What powerful and wise thoughts.

Lindsay said...

I'm sorry, I just HAD to do it. You've been tagged. hop on over to my place to find your assignment. Hope you have fun with it. I can't wait for the results!

Mona said...

There is something about the sea that is always so calming.

Sea, which is so wild and active , is yet so contained in its place!
Just like human Life!

Wow! Three tiny tots together! Must be quite a handful!

Lindsay said...

Oh you betcha I'm sassy tagging you! Hehe. I really didn't know you had done it, but you've gotta do it again, but use sixe DIFFERENT things! Oh, I can't wait!

Debbie in CA : ) said...

I always run to the healing waters. It used to be the Mighty Pacific, but up here in the mountains (5 hours worth of wind-ey roads between me and sea) it is usually my tub that I seek. I have a HUGE state-of-the-art soaker with ocean wave cds -- it works (With my eyes closed).

I love your reflection in the waters that stretches from youth to now. I feel the same intensity inside as I did back in the HS days, but how lovely the waters of time have smoothed for me, too. I guess that's how life happens. What a blessing.

I love to come here and wade around in the shallows of life with you and contemplate its depths. Its a lovely thinking spot. : )

Karen MEG said...

That's lovely that you can share that spot with your little guys; adding more sweetness to the bittersweet of the teen angst years.

LOVE the photo.

just jamie said...

Isn't it the most overwhelming feeling when our pre-kids life collides with our real-life kids? I read a book to my daughter the other night that was my own book as a child. Had I been able to imagine THAT moment all those years back ... well.

LOVE this post Kathryn.

Beck said...

Oh, beautiful, Kathryn!

Anonymous said...

That is so beautiful. The spot and the boys. Give them an extra hug for me tonight!

Words To Live By

Be grateful for each new day.
A new day that you have never lived before.
Twenty-four new, fresh, unexplored hours to use usefully and profitably.
We can squander, neglect, or use them.
Life will be richer or poorer by the way we use today.
Finish every day and be done with it.
You have done what you could;
some blunders and absurdities crept in;
forget them as soon as you can.
Tomorrow is a new day.
You shall begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be
encumbered with your old nonsense.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson