Sunday Drive
September, like the rest of this year, is so different from any in the past. Typically at this time of year summer’s free-for-all is winding down and we are becoming grounded again by September’s familiar pattern and routines. But suddenly we are missing the framework around which we are used to designing our time. This is affecting many of us in difficult ways. I have personally been struggling with the idea of attempting anything that used to be considered “normal” when every aspect of life is so out of balance. To cope I have been turning to the place that always provides restoration and inspiration: nature.
It’s been a challenge to focus on our usual activities, plans and crafts. Schedules are off and so many moments of the day just feel weird and unmotivated. But Sunday a rare occasion arose to spend the day together so we took a short drive across the bridge and a couple of hours north and the magic thing happened where they just become little kids in the back seat again and for a fleeting moment life isn’t out of control and you have them so close and no one is moving out on their own in a couple of weeks to face a world that is literally burning and hating each other and spreading sickness, and leaving the rest of us behind to miss them with broken hearts. They’re just your babies and your best friends and nothing has to change. Not while you’re on the drive. Listening to the same fall playlist you’ve been listening to for so many years and laughing at the same memories you’ve laughed at a zillion times.
The fresh air, the change of scenery, and frankly the break from reality, was medicine. Another day that I will try to memorize and hold tightly forever. These moments will get you through. When it’s days on end with babies that you can’t entertain anymore, take their hands and walk them to the trees. Mama Nature will take over. When you want to hear their grownup hearts, just sit with them by the water.
Tahquanomen was beautiful and Superior was quiet, cold and gray. Just a few trees were turning. Our Autumn here will be far too short, but I gained a new determination to be physically engaged and mentally prepared for the changing season. Next week fall will officially arrive and miraculously the cycle will continue, even in the midst of injustice and a pandemic and natural disasters and so much hurt and heartbreak. There will be celebrations and goodbyes and another season of life will be upon us.
I hope that there are beautiful moments for you this fall. I know how hard life is right now. My family’s entire life changed during quarantine. We lost and changed jobs, we moved and our children are moving, navigating their own job losses and trying to adjust to a completely new and foreign reality. It’s difficult to focus on anything but the multiple ways our country is hurting right now, and I think that should be our focus. We’ve set many of our traditions to the side this year because they don’t feel appropriate for the times. But I do encourage you to gather with each other around what is good, to find rest and healing where it is available to you. I recommend the trees.
