I Close My Eyes

A girl sat gazing out across the lake, thinking this is the perfect day. At only nineteen, she knew that she was experiencing the perfect moment. She knew that in years to come she would try to remember with perfect clarity this very day. So she sat, memorizing every detail around her. She took note of the shore line completely surrounded by large rocks and the way the rocks darkened at the water line, paying close attention to the splatters that looked like rain when the gentle waves crashed upon the shore. She saw the waves and ripples themselves shimmering golden in the setting sun, rising and falling in rhythm with her own breath. She saw the slight wisps of clouds and breathed in the warm air that smelled faintly of charcoal from the grilled foods of lunch. This was the perfect day. She curled her toes in the soft, green, grass and focused on the way it felt knowing that in years to come she would again curl her toes in the grass and remember this day. A fisherman and his son rowed by in a canoe and asked her how the fishing was. She didn’t know, she wasn’t fishing, she was luring in her memories. She was certain that this was her Eden and she would try to visit it the rest of her life. When the air was the right temperature she would be there, when she heard the sound of waves, felt the soft grass, or caught the last rays of sunlight before it dipped beyond the horizon, she would return. For at only nineteen, she knew what heaven was and she knew life was ever changing. Though she wanted to stay in that moment forever, the best she could do was remember because she couldn’t stay and she could never go back.


I close my eyes and remember the golden waves as they hit the rocks and glittered in the setting sun, the glow of the sky as it turned the clouds pink, then purple and finally gray. I remember the way the breeze blew my long hair across my face catching in my lips. The slow deep breaths I took, trying to memorize the way the air felt in my lungs. I was at peace with the world that day, on my little peninsula. That day, I knew life was changing. I knew the days of self were soon to end and I would never feel so alive and free again. As hard as I try, I can never quite find my Eden again, the world prevents it. Now, I have responsibilities, worries and obligations. There are more important things than just me. But, when the weather is right and I close my eyes… I am there.

The First Flower

Happy Spring!!!

Spring is here! I'm so excited! Time to kiss Old Man Winter good night and let him rest his weary soul. A new season has arrived, blown in on a gentle breeze and in my area record warmth. My first crocus just bloomed and soon will be followed by many more flowers. Spring is without question the most lovely time of year. So happy Spring, my friends! May your days be blessed with sunshine and beauty.