‎63 Years of Memories....

‎63 Years of Memories....
that's what I have now. The photo below shows the chair on the point which for so many years was my father's favorite after-supper place to contemplate and cast for walleye. As much as I feel guilty about what's happened, I know he would understand and even say there's nothing to forgive. He lived life fully and moved on many times. I'm the one with the unique experience of being attached to a beautiful place for my whole life. And despite all my best efforts, yesterday the 'cabin' was sold. I signed the papers and, truth be told, a weight was lifted. A new life lies ahead without the obligations, but with all of the wonderful memories. My unrelentingly positive attitude says this is truly how it is, but my heart is still sad.

There are some things in life for which the balance between the obligation and the joy of ownership often cannot be sustained forever. It became clear that I was no longer up to the task of taking care of the place quite a while back. However, knowing what needs to be done and doing it are often far apart. Finally, no choice was left. It had to be sold.

Now it's gone. No more worrying about how long the grass or how deep the snow is up there. No more sublimely pleasurable early morning cups of coffee sitting on the dock when the color of the lake is like pale blue glass and the air is completely still. No more endless repairs, high taxes, and utility bills. No more late nights around the fire pit with friends and family - warm from both fire and friendship. No more frozen pipes or emergency calls to the furnace guys. No more saunas and midnight skinny dipping that make you feel like you'll live forever while your connection with nature is confirmed by the gazillion stars of the milky way and the loons calling out in the dark. No more concerns with low well water levels or water so hard and full of iron the clothes turn yellow and your newly washed hair feels like brillo. No more finding the way home by boat in the dark after a long day on the lake feeling like this is the only place you really, really belong. No more praying that the boathouse will make it another year without collapsing. And ultimately, no more making new memories with friends, family and loved ones. No new memories, that is, at Half Bay, Lake Vermilion, Tower, MN. New life... here we come!

How do you thank a place for memories?

Thursday, April 13, 2006

What a week


I got a package from Rachel(that was huge) and one from Vikki and Jordan this week. I really appreciate every time you guys send something because it just reaffirms that you are thinking of me and there is someone back home. You guys really spoil me with all of the attention and support that I get and I want to express my gratitude for all of it, family and friends alike.

I think that you guys have sent so much candy that I will be set for months. I share alot of it with my friends and everyone looks forward to packages addressed to me. I think what I appreciate most however is photographs and correspondace. I have a lot of photos posted in my wall locker. Every morning I look at the dogs mauling Britta or my lovely (and often silly) wife in an astronaut cardboard cutout.

The blog is an excellent forum to share photos, thoughts, family updates, questions and local happenings. It is especially special that we share these things with our whole family. I encourage all of you to continue to post frequently as I will try to do the same.

I hope that we here from more friends of the family on the blog and in Emails as well. Maybe soon we will see posts from Brandon and Stacy, Bob and Blake Olson, Sue and Bob, Dave, Becky and the other assorted Smiths or Rachel's brothers and sisters and family, Kathy and Ron(did I forget anybody?). We have an ever expanding family and I want everyone to be included. I haven't forgotten about any of you. If you ever want to contact me personally, don't forget that my Email address is
Chronus24@yahoo.com
or on AIM at
ICARUSAIRWAYS
Posted by at

2 comments:

Rachel said...

did you try to send a note with this. what is all the writing on the right of the pic?

3:36 PM
Lottie Dah said...

About the photo...this is Bert and Rachel standing on the reef (or close to it) at Norman's Woe where the Schooner Hesperus went down off the coast of Massachusetts. This was taken on a fun road trip we took together last summer.

11:55 PM

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