Life is something beautiful. I know we say that all the time, but how often do we realize what we're saying? Do we appreciate all those little moments that make our lives worth it? Moments like watching one of your best friends burst out laughing as you look for shooting stars. That feeling of love as your little cousin slips her hand into yours as you wait for the cool waves of Lake Superior to come crashing over you. That daring feeling when you reach out to touch a rushing water fall, and then to stand underneath it. Finding beautiful stones on the beach and gleeful kiddos rushing over to ask what kind of rocks they've found. A wild tube ride that fills you with exhilaration, and a 360 degree turn on a knee board. The crackling camp fire and the smell of roasting marshmallows. A fleeting hope of seeing the Northern Lights over the lake and the anticipation of falling asleep to the sound of gentle rippling water. All those beautiful, beautiful moments that we can so easily forget . They make up the bright side of life.
The North Shore day was really my favorite day out of our two weeks. It was filled with memories, at least for me, that make me happy inside. Our quaint little cabins are always fun, but sometimes you just have to go somewhere, and this where we always go. To see Gooseberry Falls and to picnic on the shore of Lake Superior.
There was a boulder on the shore of Lake Superior that was perfect to stand on and get splashed by ice cold waves. Three people could stand together and wait until it was too late to turn back as a giant wall of water came crashing on you.
I love you life. I do. I love my family and I love my small circle of quirky friends. If I were brave, I'd want to make every moment count. I'd take all good risks and I'd avoid the bad. If I were brave, I'd ignore all that drama that I allow to worry me and nag at me. If I were brave, I'd live my beautiful, small life to it's fullest extent and then I'd be free. Perhaps I will be courageous and I'll try to do all I can do to live every day like I lived it during those two weeks.
After a day like that, contented exhaustion inevitably follows. An hour and half a way, a little cabin waits to welcome a tired brood home. A camp fire is to be lit and a beautiful moon is rising up to light the sky. Two very full mini vans meander away from Lake Superior and head down a wooded dirt road, glimpses of Big Sandy Lake urging them on.
We spent the days practically living on the water, organizing who goes with who on the tube and when we can fit knee boarding and skiing in. There was a fire almost every single night and a debate whether or not we should risk infusing five young kids with smores right before bed.
"And at the end of the day, your feet should be dirt, your hair messy and your eyes sparkling."
The days started to dwindle out, and the foreboding sense of departure started creeping up on us. We thrust as much fun and laughter as we could into those last beautiful days. The afternoons were stuffed with swimming and such and the evenings with games, movies, and star gazing. I think that sometimes our knowing that all good things have to come to an end and that end is coming, can spur us on to do daring things and to laugh a little more.
We went on a boat ride and spotted an eagle and his mate right above us in the trees. It was one of those things that made you think about how God can send you little gifts that remind you of the power it took to create such amazing creatures.
"Why fit in when you were born to stand out?" -Dr. Seuss-
This lady, my friends, is one of the coolest chicks I've ever had the pleasure to be acquainted with. She showed up determined to have fun and was willing to dive straight in. She laughed and grinned and made me laugh and grin, and quoted "The Notebook" as we lay in the middle of the dirt road.
"What if a truck comes?"
"Then we die."
"What if a truck comes?"
"Then we die."
I couldn't resist putting up a couple shots of these two inseparable cousins.
Goodbye came too soon, but it came none the less. A hug and a "don't you dare start crying or I will too" was passed, and a final wave. With teary eyes, I headed back to the cabins, knowing I'd also have to leave the beautiful place the next day.
You see, as strange as it sounds since we only go two weeks out of every year, the cabins are home. They've been the one constant place in my family's life since we've managed to move every two years. It's always hard to leave and it's always a trip we look eagerly forward too every year.
The final last minute boat rides and water sports were squeezed in, and the windows were boarded shut. We drifted to bed and wished tomorrow might be over with. Tomorrow came however, and we got into our mini vans, waved goodbye, and drove away, looking back for the last glimpses of Big Sandy Lake.
You see, as strange as it sounds since we only go two weeks out of every year, the cabins are home. They've been the one constant place in my family's life since we've managed to move every two years. It's always hard to leave and it's always a trip we look eagerly forward too every year.
The final last minute boat rides and water sports were squeezed in, and the windows were boarded shut. We drifted to bed and wished tomorrow might be over with. Tomorrow came however, and we got into our mini vans, waved goodbye, and drove away, looking back for the last glimpses of Big Sandy Lake.