I am currently visiting family in Maine until Tuesday. The time is filled with laughter and some twinges of sadness and new to me experiences and some delightful time on my own. For the first time in knowing one “aunt”, a family friend who I remember as a very small child, was rendering her speechless. Aunt D is an extrovert and has no problem in conversation. At dinner another night the oldest (living – me) and youngest cousins were present. There is a 28 year age gap between us. It is delightful to discover that he embodies so much of the warmth of his dad. And seeing his mom made my heart go pitter pat. I’ve been able to meet with old friends long thought lost and yet being together restored something in me that I didn’t know needed watering. Between now and Monday there are people to see and beaches to visit and sister chats to be had over scrabble and cribbage.
Love note from the Father
The other day I pulled into a store parking lot to see if I could find a power cord for my phone. I waited until the vehicle in front of me pulled away so I could pull into that spot, making leaving a little easier. That’s when I saw this sticker on the back of a truck and giggled. The night before my sister and I were talking about this very thing.
There really was no need for me to wait to pull forward, except this apparently.
One of the things I’ve never done either while living here in Maine or visiting any other time is visit the desert of Maine. I walked a one mile loop on the first hot day here in Maine. I almost want to go back just to slide down the slide, and leave my backpack in the car this time. I’d hoped to find a bench to do some reading that I’m a bit behind on at this point however the tables I hoped to sit had spiders, and while I love a good spider I didn’t really desider to encroach on their territory or disturb their work. So
As I walked along I met a family taking pictures so offered to get a few of all of them together. I love that kind of event as then everyone, even the family memory keeper gets to be part of the pictures and hold that memory in their heart as well as having visual record for their little people.
It seems to me that this is in part why selfies have become such a thing in the advent of cell phones with cameras. It’s more than an, “I was here” kind of thing, it’s a way of keeping visual records of where we’ve been and what was important at that event. I was amazed that I’d finished this whole loop without getting on the train. I loved pausing here and there to take a drink of water and enjoy the wind wending its way through the pine trees, the feel of sand in my sneakers (which wasn’t exactly pleasant by the way) and was secretly glad that the temps were warmer than normal here. Don’t tell anyone though.
After leaving the Desert of Maine I headed towards Boothbay and then decided to go to Reid State Park. I very much desired to feel the coolness of the ocean on my feet. I will be heading to Popham Friday with another family member and spend some precious time with him. I’m bringing the beach towel and reading while he goes exploring an island that is available at low tide. This also means I’m picking up some kind of beach shoe today.
There is something delightful about the ocean, powerful and majestic, yet familiar and comforting. Having my toes in the briny water is a moment of prayer. That awe one feels when words don’t cross your lips, or your brain. There is nothing formal here, in the moment. Prayer this week has felt very much like snippets of “Oh” and “awe” and “thanks” and “that was clarifying in so many places” it’s felt like the waves teasing as they race closer to shore not quite meeting my feet. And a little like the sand washing away causing my feet to sink deeper in, slightly off balance and yet so, so good. I am going to find a place to sit and write today
As a way of celebrating this week I’m going to head out to in a little while for more toes in the sand and get some lobster.
I’m praying with and for you.
PS I’m linking back to this post and the song Oceans. I’ll be sharing more why again soon. If you would tell me how you’re praying these days.
A Quilter's Heart 