at the lake 2017

Another summer of gratitude at the privilege of visiting this special place on earth. (Last year.) This is where I want my ashes scattered when I die. This is what I visualize in my mind when the real world around me gets stressful and draining. I suppose those words flow out of my fingers right now because I have been fighting against a current of stress and overwhelm for a long time now. I am not sure if some of it is self-induced, but I definitely have my little self-care practices in place and like a high needs individual, when they get rocked, I get a little dizzy and I start to lose my way.

But this place, these places, they are like a balm to the soul. This year's visit brought so many gifts to the senses; wildflowers, wildflowers, lots of extra water (everywhere...we got moisture this winter!), blue skies, snow, worn leg muscles, worn stomach and arm muscles, laughter, zillions of stars, earthy smells, wild mint, pines, did I mention wildflowers?, and so much more.

The water source (a man made pool pool to collect spring run off, then filtered and piped to the cabin) was overflowing.

The kids, big, strong, and not sick this year, were incredible hikers.

There were no meltdowns this year. I don't write about this much. I think I should probably write about this more. Those of you who read my blog these days (and I know there are fewer and fewer of you) either know me and us or probably read between the lines, but we have some high needs in our little family. We have never been up to the lake and not had meltdowns before. I think the lack of them had to do with several things...so much investment put into the souls in our care because of this during the past year, a different sort of prep for this trip together, and spaces to call their own (a challenge with 7-8 people in a back-to-basics 2 room cabin). Can you hear my heart singing? And any mama who knows what it is a like parent a high needs child will understand the joy, surprise, and hint of bittersweet that sort of growth brings. And let me say...I sat and read a bit this year during non-kid-sleep times.

This girl loves Kermit, who has been coming up to the cabin as long as I can remember. He gives weather reports.

These kids became impressive paddlers this year. They were mostly in little borrowed lake kayaks, but they asked for practice in Nonno and Grandma's canoe, too. "Our paddles keen and bright, flashing like silver! Swift as the wild goose flies, dip dip and swing. Dip dip and swing them back, flashing like silver! Swift as the wild goose flies, dip dip and swing."

M, Lala Bug, Little Brown Mouse, and I all swam. We were discussing it when all of a sudden it hit me "jump now or you won't do it!" My entry was less than graceful, but it netted me "first to swim" kudos.

 

All in all, another short week, full of memories made and treasured.