Musings
Read MoreJanuary Reflections at Lake Wilderness
1.18.22
I am restless and longing for peace.
Walking until the voices in my head fall into a whisper
and I can hear the invitation to be present to the life around me.
Water lapping the shore,
Hushed muttering of ducks, water swirling as they circle and feed.
Distant peels of childrens' laughter rides the winter breeze
brings a smile as I recall when my daughter was small
and her laughter rode the wind as she played.
A hummingbird is chirping and whistling as he dances to attract a mate. It is a strange dance, flying straight up, then turning and diving, straight down, pulling up just before striking the ground. I wonder where the female is hiding as she watches this grand performace.
All goes quiet until a big dog starts barking at the ducks. They scatter, quacking wildly, wings frantically beating as they lift off, just skimming the surface of the lake landing rather clumsily, feet first, in safer waters where they resume their circling. I am envious of how quickly they seem to calm themselves after such a disruption.
There are crows, scolding and cawing. It isn't long before an eagle soars above the lake and lands in the evergreens on the far side. He surveys the lake for several minutes, then breaks off a dead branch with his great talons, returning to the unseen nest he and his mate are building. I think about how wonderful it is to have a lifetime partner, and give thanks for my husband, who has brought me all kinds of wonderful "sticks" as we continue to build our life together.
The water is still where the ducks once were and I find a place to sit for a while. All is quiet again. The reflections of the trees and shrubs along the shoreline ripple. I get lost here, roaming in the colors and textures.
I breathe in the peace of this moment in time, allowing it time to settle deep within so I can come back whenever I need a moment of calm.