- Not the lake I was in. Although, I wouldn’t mind visiting. This one is in Poland. I forgot my camera this weekend and deeply regret it.
There are so many reasons I love being a writer.
There are so many reasons I have to be a writer.
You can’t see/feel/experience the things I observe/absorb/do without it spilling out somehow.
In one single weekend:
Canoeing got canceled because the rains raised the river and some guy drowned. (How sad for him and his family. I hope somehow something good comes of it.)
We played in the lake instead. We swam out to the floaty thing that says, “Don’t swim any further!!!” and then jumped off of it and held hands and tried to touch the squishy, murky lake-floor.
My toes will never forget the feeling of cold, foreign mud.
My ears will never forget the pressure and cold of water too deep for
the sun.
My heart will never forget the thrill of, “ohmigosh I could drown,”
along with the comfort of “but I’ve got loved ones
holding on to me–just in case.”
Then, after swimming and gulping lake water for hours, we get out for a picnic (it was charming) and hear some little girls say, “Ewww. A dead body. I just saw it. F#@$!” LITTLE GIRLS. We were like, “What????????” and then we realized they were just playing. NOT FUNNY. AND WASH YOUR MOUTH OUT WITH SOAP! well, kinda funny, in a sad way.
Then my grandma explains that they are probably pretending that because people did find a dead body, “over there a couple days ago.” WHY HAVE YOU LET ME SWIM/GULP THIS WATER!!!! blech blech blech. I mean, I know lakes are dirty, and they probably all have dead bodies in them, but I don’t want to be confronted with it!
Gosh, how many things in my life do I know but try to ignore so I can go on oblivious and happy.?.
Also, what’s up with all the dead bodies???
Then we had a wonderful birthday fiesta back at my grandparents’ amazing, cozy, beautiful home in the woods and when they prayed for the food, my family prayed for me, too (since it was my b-day) and brought me to tears, because I don’t know what I would be without their love. Also, because I can be so self-centered and idiotic, and they’ve seen all of my worst sides and they still love me and pray for me. Family is so beautiful.
The next day we went on a ride safari through the woods jungle and surprised some really fast deer gazelles and saw a cow lion. It was amazing! And we went to these old caves where the Native Americans used to hang out and we looked for arrowheads. And my husband is Miami tribe, so he was really excited. We carved our names into a rock and read all the other names, including WESTLEY 1914 (which is one of the inspirations for my MC’s name). And I thought of all the other amazing people who played in the shade of the cave over the centuries.
Then I got home and I found out that one of my friends who shares June 4th as her birthday was hit by a drunk driver Thursday night. The same night I was celebrating an awesome contest win and driving to the lake holding my lovey’s hand.
She’s alive, thank God. with the addition of titanium plates in her face.
Somehow, it doesn’t seem fair, but she’s alive, and I guess that’s the best birthday present you could give either of us.
God, thank you so much for life and love and adventure, and please keep all of my loved ones safe.
Peace ♥
Oh my goodness I’m so sorry about your friend! How awful. But, yes you are right, lucky she’s alive.
That whole thing about the lake has just reminded me to pre order season six of Bones
.-= The Alliterative Allomorph´s last blog ..If my novel were a movie … =-.
Wow, that’s terrible about your friend. I’m so happy to hear she’s all right though! Life has a way of waking us up like that sometimes. I too have titanium plates in my face, from a horse kick though. It changes the way you see the world, that’s for sure. Every day is blessed and cherished!
.-= HeatherM´s last blog ..Monday’s Muse~May’s Reads =-.
omg i’m so sorry about your friend!!!
that’s got to be horrific, and so hard to deal with
here’s to hoping for a better tomorrow, love. and it sounds like you had an exciting trip!
stay safe!
.-= T.H. Mafi´s last blog ..OF COURSE THIS IS IMPORTANT =-.
I’m so sorry about your friend–I’ll be praying for her to recover quickly. What a crazy birthday weekend! : /
The Alliterative Allomorph – That’s too funny that it made you think of Bones. lol!
Heather M – At first me and my husband were really sad at the news, but tnen we were like, “How cool to be part titanium!!! You could get in a fight and hurt someone with your face.” I don’t know- is it kinda cool once the recovery is over????
T.H. Mafi – The trip was super exciting and I wish I was still there lol. Thanks for the well wishes
Kari – Thanks so much! That means a lot. And yes, it was crazy (mostly in a good way).
Wow- sounds like an absolutely fabulous adventure! I’m sure it gave you plenty of ammo for your writing:)
.-= Creepy Query Girl´s last blog ..Monday Misdemeanor =-.
I would have screamed like a girl…well, I am a girl…had I heard someone scream “DEAD BODY!” I’ve got a senstive stomach.
Well wishes goes to your friend. It’s a blessing she made it!
~JD
How horrible about the woman who shares your birthday. I hope she’ll recover well. There’s nothing weirder than thinking of the fun you’re having when someone you know was suffering at the same time. But I guess every moment is like that for someone.
It sounds like a fun birthday. I loved your description of being in the water.
.-= Theresa Milstein´s last blog ..Sad News =-.
Swimming in water where a dead body was found would gross me out too. And give me nightmares. Lots of them.
.-= Stina Lindenblatt´s last blog ..Tip # 72: A Tragedy of Errors: The Flash And The Window =-.
I’m so sorry about your friend, but I’m so, so glad she’s alive. It always amazes, and saddens, me that at the moment when I’m so happy, others are suffering.
.-= Sandy Shin´s last blog ..MATCHED by ally condie giveaway =-.
Creepy – Yep, hundreds of new experiences all tucked under my belt for later, when I just might need something to nudge my muse.
Justine – thanks for the well wishes. Yep, my stomach is pretty weak, too. ESPECIALLY WHEN ITS JUST GULPED DOWN DEAD BODY WATER EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW. lol
Theresa – Thanks so much. And you’re absolutely right, it is such a weird feeling.
Stina – no nightmares yet *fingers crossed*
Yeah, it was weird.
Sandy – Thanks, and I totally agree. I’m so so glad she’s alive.
.-= Olleymae´s last blog ..snippets of life =-.
Hope your friend gets better soon. The picture looks beautiful. Glad you guys had a good time.
Have a nice day…:)
I’m sorry about your friend and finding out there was a dead body found in the lake you’d been swimming in.
(
There’s an award for you on my blog, if you want it.
.-= Myrna Foster´s last blog ..How I Deal With Rejection =-.
What a great post. At first I was thinking, ‘Hey, I want to go to camp with them. It sounds like fun.’ Then, ‘The dead body?’ Uh…maybe not. JK.
It’s great to remember why we are hear, what we are thankful for, and that we can write anything. “;-)
.-= Sheri Larsen´s last blog ..GRAFFITI WALL: Helen Ellis, author of THE TURNING: WHAT CURIOSITY KILLS =-.