Ripples and a Bobber

Our family had the pleasure of spending a weekend at camp recently.  At one point, I was fishing FOR Grace who could not be bothered to sit and wait for her bobber to bob, especially when she had lobster left on her dinner plate!  I sat with book in lap and, initially, went through the motions of fishing for the sake of...well, not really sure why I bothered to step in.  At some point I put the book aside and made another cast.  The hook, crowded with kernals of corn, and the bobber fell a good distance away with my attentive cast.  I made the purposeful choice to watch...wait...and it turned into meditate.  It was surprisingly peaceful.  A purposeful activity of centering.  A soulful sit on the stairs to the water, waiting for the bobber to bob.  I watched for the ripples of the little fish nibbling her veggie below.  I may have even missed a few fish as I just let the ripples flow - which should have been my cue to jig and hook that bass.  I was grateful in that moment.  Grateful for the opportunity to sit, clear my mind, and watch the ripples and the bobber.

The Art of Letter Writing

I love writing letters.  I also love receiving them but the unfortunate truth is that Letter Writing is a lost art.  I continue to stay committed to this personal and intimate way of connecting with loved ones far and near.  My only intention is to bring a nugget of joy and love to the life of the receiver.  If I am to acquire a response, all the more surprising and uplifting.

Earlier this week, I spent a good part of a day cleaning/organizing our house.  We can be a bit cluttery (my own special word for us!) and it gets out of control in quick order.  I got to the bottom of the piles in our bedroom and was rewarded not only by the left over cleanliness but also by a wonderful find.  Saved within the stacks were letters from my Nana Ruth.  She, sadly, died of cancer May 15th of this year.  The correspondence was such a wonderful treasure to unearth from my messy life.  Her life is irreplaceable but I am so Grateful to have these letters to hold dear.  A reminder of her humor and her life and her love for me.