4:00 a.m. Another restless night. Deep sleep, waits for another day.
It’s time.
I walk.
It’s been 1,902 consecutive (almost) days on this twilight walk at Cove Island Park. Like in a row.
I’m walking at the top of the Marina, warily making my way around rocks, glistening and coated with algae.
I hear soft murmurs.
What is that? I stop, to listen.
The murmurs continue.
To my left, at the marina entrance, rain patters on the water.
To my right, a few feet, Long Island Sound, stands quiet, smooth.
And where I stand, on this part-time, lower tide isthmus, nothing touches me. No rain.
I look up to confirm, to make sure that I’m not paralyzed from fatigue.
Not paralyzed. Thank God for that.
No rain.
And No birdsong. No humans. No sirens. No traffic.
Just the pattering of rain on the water.
I linger.
The wind shifts, and warm, summer rain begins to fall on me.
Peace’, she thought, again and again, the word coming unraveled in her. Turning into sounds and letters. — Sarah MacLean, These Summer Storms
What does it mean to be “spiritual?” It means putting your feet on the ground. It means finding stillness, not only when you sit, but when you stand, and walk, and whirl. It means finding silence, not only between your thoughts, but in your words, in your laughter, in your tears. — John Butler, Mystic Approaches
I stand buoyant, weightless, as if the fatigue has burned off.
Lifted.
I’m going to remember this.
Notes:
- More photos from this morning’s walk here.
- Thank you Beth for the John Butler quote (via Alive on All Channels)
I was by the kayaks. First raindrop hit my head, dead center. Is that rain? I wasn’t told there would be rain! Described as only YOU could DK. Didn’t last. Summer won’t either.
Re: “Summer won’t either”… I know this, but I refuse to accept it yet! 🙂
What is it with your and Susan’s attractions to those kayaks!?!?!
Color DK. Color on a gray day.
burning off the fatigue – wonderful way to begin a day
It was!
Oh, what I’d give for a few drops of rain right about now. Do you know how lucky you are?
Strange how easy it is to be unaware of the blessings we have…until they disappear for a time. I find the human mind amazing and fascinating, but baffling at the same time.
So true Paul. And my mind is most baffling of all!
LOL! If yours is most baffling of all dot, I am right behind you!
(Where did the “dot” come from? I have no idea, but I suspect Siri is behind it, and is trying to drive me crazy.)
I knew last spring when we had endless rain and were craving sun, that we’d be crying for rain in a few weeks. And here we are. But whatever happened to moderation?
We are NOT complaining Anneli. Hope you get some rain soon.
Meanwhile, I’m just thankful we have a deep well. But there’s nothing so refreshing for every plant as a good shower.
So agree. Esp in Summer.
Fascinating when the rain is close by, but not directly on you. I have experienced that long ago.
I believe I have mentioned this before… When I hear mention of the Long Island Sound, it touches me emotionally because my paternal grandparents had a summer camp in the town of
Mattituck Long Island… Back when it was potato fields and not multi million dollar properties. The camp was right on the water… On a creek that emptied into the Long Island Sound. It was a very short boat trip to get out onto the “big water”. My father absolutely loved it there. I’m quite sure it was his “favorite place to be”. I spent two or three summer vacations there for about a week at a time when I was very young… Perhaps 8 to 12 years old. Loved it there. Good memories. When my Dad passed, we put his ashes into that creek.
Almost 2000 days! Time for a celebration!
I hope you get some rest today Dave. As previously mentioned, I am painfully familiar with sleep problems. I sleep 1.5 to 3 hours at a time, three times a day, at random times in a 24 hour period. Last night was an exception. I actually slept six hours straight! No idea why, but that is some sort of record in recent years.
Loved your description of your walk this morning.
Take care of yourself… Paul
Have never heard of that location on Long Island Sound and what wonderful memories. 1.5 to 3 hour blocks of sleep. Wow.
If you get seriously bored, just Google: “Mattituck Long Island”. It’s out there on the north Fork.
Those moments in between that can ease and validate and give the spirit a gentle breeze to lift you up. Perfect, Dave – and I too will remember this..(I’ve got the book in the middle of my queue – does it get your recommendation?)
Hi Mimi. Thank you. You mean “These Summer Storms”? If yes, this is a light beach reading page turner. Not exactly my genre but I enjoyed it.
Such a lovely interlude, pal. I remember walking the dogs one morning in Florida and watching the rain come down the street towards us in a sheet of water. I stopped and the curtain came to within a couple feet of me and stopped also. It was *the strangest* experience…standing so near the rain that I could smell the ozone and feel the spray and yet not IN it. Honestly, it was somewhat mystical. I turned and walked home as if levitating, filled with emotion from my ‘close encounter.’ Keep walking, my friend. There’s magic afoot. ☺️💕
Lori, your words captured exactly how I felt, exactly. Mystical. Thank you for sharing.
You paint a picture so well David.
Thank you Majella. I appreciate your kind thoughts. Have a great week.
❤️