It surprised me, that first day of our camping trip. I hadn’t expected to be so uneasy, so unsettled, so discombobulated. We are doing a short camping trip at Tawas, on Lake Huron, primarily to make sure hubby’s new truck pulls the camper without problems. That first evening was beautiful so I walked to the lighthouse on Tawas Bay and found the path to the beach on Lake Huron, hoping to get some photos in the evening light.

Tawas Point Lighthouse, Lake Huron
As I was sitting on the beach with the sun going down behind me, I attempted to get the introspective, reverent, quiet peace that is usually so easy for me to find on the beach – but I was agitated and uneasy instead. Then I remembered reading Ann Murrow Lindburg’s Gift from the Sea oh so many years ago. She said that it took her a few days to settle into the quiet routine of the sea, to be totally present with the waves and the wind and the beach. She wrote this over 50 years ago.

Two lovers sharing their beach time.
I was surprised at how much stress I must feel if it takes me time to get used to the slower pace of camping. The WordPress daily prompt is retrospective – what would I say about the culture of 2013. Maybe our culture isn’t so different than that of Lindburg’s 50 years ago, or 100 years ago, or 1000 years ago. Maybe life has always required that we work hard, take care of people and things, worry about…
We can’t have families, relationships, homes, and comforts without putting work into them. I have responsibilities but they are changing because of my transition to retirement and aging. I still “want” responsibilities because they keep me connected and active, but I am continually assessing how much and what kinds I want. I also need breaks from some of these responsibilities so I can re-center, breath deeply, experience me in the world.

Waiting for the last light of a long day at the beach
If I trace my memory back, I realize my experience now isn’t so different than it was back in the “good old days”. Life was never simpler, it was different. There is nothing simple about preparing for adulthood, or getting married, or producing and raising three children. There is nothing simple about working a job, maintaining a home, nurturing extended family, building friendships.
At each step of the way I needed to make decisions about what was important and what I needed to let go of. No matter what stage of life I was in I needed to say no to some things and yes to others. I needed to work at keeping life simple enough but not too simple. I needed to manage my level of stress.
I am currently reading An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith by Barbara Brown Taylor. She proposes that we expand our experiences of spirituality to everything we do, not just to our worship in religious buildings. She is stimulating my thinking about how to make the simplest of daily experiences into a spiritual experience. I’m not sure if I can make it work, but I am being more intentional about appreciating the inherent beauty in everything I do and see. My challenge is to see my world as God sees it. I think God has seen the world the same through all of time – there was never a simpler time from God’s perspective.
Another book that I’ve picked up again is The Way We Never Were by Stephanie Coontz. Her research shows that we have very selective memories, remembering and combining the best from several time periods while forgetting the problems that existed. I wonder how long it will take before people forget about the frustrations, hassles, injustices, and meanness of 2013 and remember it as the “good old days” when life was simpler.
Looks like a very peaceful place. Love the lighthouse.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
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It is. Thanks for visiting.
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the wedding I just shot on Saturday was at Tawas!!! what a small world ;0
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Who would guess? Most people don’t even know Tawas City exists.
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Enjoy the break, the lake, & the book. (Enjoy hubby too.)
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Camping gives us lots of time to enjoy each other – we laugh a lot when we camp.
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Like I often seem to, I share many of your thoughts. It certainly seems to me the “good ole days” were just days about which we remember the good ole things.
I try to take time each day to appreciate the little things that make life wonderful. I started doing this in earnest about three years ago, and it takes me much less time to wind down into relaxation now.
I’ve been seeing lots of photos of the Huron side of the state, and the UP. My travel bug is getting restless.
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Nicely said, Heather. And nurture that travel bug. We haven’t visited this east coast often and we are really enjoying it. I keep telling myself that I want to get up to see a sunrise over the water, but… Maybe tomorrow. 🙂
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I’d love to see a sunrise sometime. I’ll probably stay up late enough one of these nights 😉
Enjoy your east coast camping adventure.
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LOL. I hadn’t thought of that solution.
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I always love seeing beach pictures. Also, you really have a way of expressing thoughts and ideas in a manner where some of us can say – “yes me too”. I have a saying about being on the beach – “My worst day on the beach is better than my best day at work”. Take care and be Blessed.
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🙂 Thanks for the nice compliment, Nora. I have done a lot of technical writing and am really enjoying using those skills for this type of writing. I like writing to clarify my thinking and experiences. And may you have many days at the beach!
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I love that book by Barbara Brown Taylor. She and her husband live on their farm not too far from us, and she was the founding priest of our 20-year-old parish here in Sautee Nacoochee, Ga. She is one of the most amazing people I have ever met. That book really touched my heart.
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I hear she is a really good preacher. How interesting that she lives by you and you know her so well. Thanks for commenting. 🙂
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Take it easy as you relax & take in your surroundings.
🙂
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Today I am very relaxed and enjoying every minute with hubby. Thanks, RoSy.
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