No Way

I can hardly believe it! Friday already? Do I really have to leave, to go home to piles of dirty dishes and loads of laundry? Back to work and reality? Far from the cooling lake breezes and the gentle conversations and interesting lectures? Back to cooking and fixing broken stuff and boys? Goodness, where has the time gone?

I think back over the days of leisure, recalling a talk about the first ten President's wives and their various challenges and contributions, a fascinating lecture I hope to follow up on by reading more of their biographies. I remember the sand sculptures people carved on the beach and others wiped away with scarcely a second thought - a lion and an octopus come and gone in a blink. I recall the evening marble and card game and the friendly competitions, the afternoon naps with the fan brushing tepid air against my tired cheek. I remember two flavors of amazing Gelato so taste bud tingling you could hardly believe it. I remember time to think, to organize my upcoming DVD, reading through three entire books that were exactly the resources needed to take the next step in planning. I remember dinners at the little restaurant, gathered around a table sharing stories and appreciating the home cooked comfort foods that were gentle on my constitution. I remember walking out on the pier and examining the islands and watching the brightly painted ferries make their rounds, bikers and strollers passing us on the path by the miniature golf course, dawdling in the fascinating shops oohhing over unique items and daydreaming about getting such things for my grand daughters. I remember chatting with the museum curator as I learned the history of Lakeside and laughing at some of the old time sundries in their displays. I remember hitting the fudge shop and being amazed by all the delicious flavors and trying to decide what to sample now, what to take home and what the boys would like. I remember no hurry. I remember feeling as if I had been coming to this summer resort all my life.

Can I really have packed so much into a couple of days? I barely scratched the surface of what was offered, never left the grounds to explore anything beyond the gate, didn't even dip my toe in the water! Yet the days were full, the nights restful. Much like spending summers at Grandma's when I was a little girl. So much to explore, no hurry about any of it.

I cannot tell my kind hosts how much the week has meant, for I don't know how to say what great medicine this has been to a soul weary and worn. It was just what the doctor would have ordered if she had known about this place, I am sure. I have made new discoveries, forged good connections, actually been renewed in mind body and spirit - and all without trying to. I guess there is something to the value of the environment being conducive to wholeness.

I can only hope that the rest of the year will be as wholesome and satisfying as this week has been.