The Lake..

There is something about the lake that overpowers my soul. The smell, the sound and the harmony of the water overtake my body, mind and spirit. I grew up on the lake- actually two lakes- and until I was 22 I had never been alienated from the tranquility of water. Until recently, I had never understood how much an undemanding body of water had provided me an unknown internal comfort.

           After my first daughter was born we moved from the lake to a place that implied perfection of the new family lifestyle. It was a cookie cutter house in a gated community full of budding families who worked the 9-5 job, ate dinner at the table every night and had the perfect furry companion to meander down the street with. We had a paved driveway, fancy fences and a perfectly positioned wreath hanging on a beautiful stained glass door- but we didn't have the lake. Instead, we had the clatter of other cars scurrying along and the echo of fellow neighbors carrying on with their busy lives. I began to miss my modest cabin on the lake and the familiarity of flying insects the lake attracted.

           I began to regret the demands that city life had poured into our lives. In an attempt to gather a sense on normalcy I found a rock on the lake to sit upon anytime I felt overwhelmed. This worked for a petite moment in time. I would smell the sweet breeze and gaze at the ripples in the water. I could feel the lake- I could sense my past. I was home for a brief moment.

          Recently, I decided I needed that feeling everyday; not just when I had time to drive 20 miles to adorn my uncomfortable moss cover rock. I wanted my permanent home back. I wanted my children to create the memories that I had of murky lake waters, summer slashes and watching skiers in the distance. I wanted to feel whole again.We sold the house in the flawless neighborhood and headed back to a country life full of imperfections surrounded but by the serenity of a lake. I am at peace again and my children can embark on the journey of making water filled memories because after all- memories are the story of our life.