I was thinking today of a morning I spent at the beach with my son this summer. We arrived just after 9 am, settled into the sand so he could play with his trucks and I could read a chapter or two of a book that was overdue from the library. We waded into the water, almost as warm as the late-August air, and he practiced swimming while I held his body afloat. Eventually, he returned to the sand, shivering, to wrap himself in a towel, and I took myself out alone in the lake. I walked backward, my eyes glued to my toddler whose eyes were glued on me, smiling as he waited for what he knew would come next. Finally, I dove under, swimming back towards shore, a quick moment of calm and silence before I emerged.
I had imagined the summer would be filled with mornings like this, that we would start most days at the beach, swimming and playing. But instead, it was a summer of house projects, two months living with my parents while we work on our new home back in Empire. A summer of anticipation; preparation. Goodness. But still, not what I had imagined. I blinked and it was September, and the air is cooling faster than I would like.
It all goes too fast. Life gets so full and we shift from one stage to the next. My baby no longer a baby. Have we soaked it in enough?
Last week before the cold weather moved in, I walked to the beach while Tim painted the house. I needed a swim, needed even just a moment with my head underwater. It was windy and the waves pushed against the shore in a steady rhythm. I willed myself into the water and sunk my tired body under the waves. Then, I played. I rode the waves, letting their noise drown out everything. I stayed in longer than I had in a month or more, not wanting to get out in case it was the last good swim of the season.
All I can do is take the swims when they come. Even if it’s just one quick dip under, I am learning it is enough. I embrace what is before me, the ground beneath my feet. I am painting a house, I am caring for my family, I am watching the waves. The seasons come and they go too soon. I move into fall. With some luck, we will move into our new house and hopefully, I will squeeze a few more swims out of this season.
Swim Club Update
As I mentioned above, we have been in the midst of moving back to Empire all summer, which has meant a disruption in this little monthly newsletter. I am hopeful that I will resume a more regular pattern now as our life falls into more regular rhythms again. The move, unfortunately, threw off my plans of hosting Swim Club in person this season, but it will return in full force next summer. I will plan the schedule this winter and will be sure to share it early so that you can mark your calendars.
Shop Update
My online store will be closed for purchases from October 1-31, as I prepare the shop for holiday sales. I will be restocking books and prints and will add new products before the holidays. If you’re looking for a copy of Lake Letters, you can find the book locally at Poppy Things, Farm Club, and Nature Walk.
I hope you all enjoy the autumn and whatever other seasons you find yourself in.
Cheers,
Mae
As you can imagine (because we've rescheduled our session three times) I COMPLETELY resonate with this, our summer was very similar in preparing a rental property for sale, that is still lingering as we move into fall. I am very much looking forward to my dip in the lake in just a few days!!!!