Breathing in the Peace and Tranquility

The long weekend in May is always a highlight. At least it is for me!

Our resident groundhog who posed and smiled for her picture.

We have a trailer in the Muskokas that sits empty from Thanksgiving Monday until the May 24^th weekend. So once the park is open, the hour and three-quarter drive is done most weekends throughout the summer for a 3 day retreat. To say that I love being there is a little short of an understatement. I don’t expect anyone to feel the same passion; at the same time, I don’t try to explain it or even hide it! I welcome the escape from my daily living to a quiet, respite that I seem to need all too often.

This year’s long weekend in May was no exception. The weather proved most agreeable; in fact, I’m told that some brave souls were in swimming. I didn’t make it to the beach—I figured there was lots of time for that once we’ve experienced the demise of the black flies and the sun is a bit warmer! People came and went; some just waved and smiled as we each responded with the usual: “Welcome back!” or “Nice to see you again!” We got caught up with our neighbours, always responding or asking the same question: “How was your winter?” It was interesting to hear the various reports: an unexpected triple bypass, successful surgery, a wedding for 2 lovely widowed people, and the consistent comment: “It was a long winter, wasn’t it! (As far as I’m concerned, all winters are long!)

Our resident mother groundhog was noticeably absent. She’s been part of the scene for several years and I couldn’t help wondering where she was. Last year she had four babies under our trailer and seemed quite content to feed her children while we ate our dinner just a few feet away! The deer were also absent, but I’m sure only temporarily. No doubt, I’ll battle with them again this year as they try to eat my hosta! The trilliums were at their peek, our hosta and ferns grew noticeably higher under the warm sun, and the chippies were their ever-present selves, demanding their daily supply of sunflower seeds. It’ll be a while before the bluejays, chickadees, wood peckers, nut hatches, and the yellow finch find our feeders but they will! They always have.

Peaceful. Serene. Tranquil. It’s hard finding the right word. Sure there’s a busyness with people arriving throughout the weekend, cars and kids coming and going, and then there’s the work to do—there always is! But somehow the work takes on new meaning. It seems almost…satisfying when the deck furniture is in place, the antifreeze is flushed through the water lines and the leaves are blown from among the newly birthed flowers and the trailer roof. Somehow it’s worth the sweat and aching back and the occasional black fly bite when we relax at the end of the day on our deck and just breathe in the peace and tranquility. I suppose, for me, that’s what it’s all about.

Our home away from home!

I have my laptop (can’t be without that!) but I have to walk about fifty metres to reach the wifi connection at the camp store. There is only one TV channel and my cell phone is used with great discretion. So, the ‘outside’ world has less of an influence on me.

I wish I could take all my friends with me to experience what God has chosen to bless me with. I am forever grateful to Him for everything He provides, even if it’s just a little bit of grass and a few flowers in a place where His creation are forced to share their homes with me. After all, I am the intruder

So, once again, I’ve shared just a little piece of my life in a world that is hurting. I’m not oblivious to the pain and sorrow that surrounds me, nor am I living in the false belief that I am immune to pain and sorrow touching me personally. I just wanted to share a bit of sunshine in a world that is in great need as I am reminded, once again, of God’s goodness, mercy and blessing.

Have a blessed day.

Then, because so many people were coming and going

that they did not even have a chance to eat, he [Jesus] said to them,

“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mark 6:31).