The Lake - My Church

"The happiest of all lives is a busy solitude." ~Voltaire

It was late last spring when the idea came to me – just sort of popped into my head, really. I had not been thinking of this at all. It was almost as if someone whispered it into my ear as I slept – instructing me. I woke the next morning refreshed, renewed, rejuvenated. I knew what I had to do. All was right with the world.

“You must sell your canoe and buy a smaller, more manageable one,” the voice said.

Wow, I never knew. The voice was right, though. At 14 feet in length, our Olde Towne canoe was great when our 2 boys were small. We would fit the 4 of us, no problem, and off we’d go out onto the lake - all of 2 times, maybe 3. The canoe had been lying still, upside down, for years. Unloved, unwanted, unused. It really needed a good home. It was for the best.

Within a week or so of my “dream” I asked my husband if he wouldn’t mind if I sold our canoe and buy a smaller one. I knew he wasn’t interested in going out onto the lake so a smaller one would be perfect, I thought. I pictured myself, seated in the rear paddling around in the early morning pre-dawn hours on this lake that I grew up on, live one mile down the road from and am drawn to still. Of course, this vision of me paddling had me meandering along the shore, mist rising from the warm water and hot coffee in my “to go” mug sitting on the floor within reach. I stop paddling, it is quiet and still. It is light although the sun has not officially made it entrance. Yes, this is the thing I am seeking. The voice is right.

“Why not consider a kayak,” my husband responded. “Canoes are kinda awkward when paddling solo and too much like work. You might find a kayak easier going and more to your liking.”

Huh! Well I had never thought of a kayak and the voice did say canoe. People I had seen in kayaks always looked uncomfortable to me. Sort of leaning back with their knees bent a little. But the more I thought about it the more I liked the idea! My husband is wise. Yes, a kayak would do the trick.

Well, long story (trust me) short, I am the proud owner of a 10 foot kayak. A solid deep red one. I have an awesome life jacket that has a secret Velcro pocket where I keep my sun glasses - just in case. My husband bought me this wonderful thing that is a combination compass and whistle which is tied securely to my life jacket buckle. I am prepared. Also tied to my PFD is a watertight container where my cell phone just fits along with the key (not keys) to my truck. I venture out onto the lake in the early morning with peace of mind, knowing I am equipped with everything I need if an emergency arises. You never know when a barge or cruise ship will just suddenly appear on this small lake out of the early morning fog when the visibility is only 20 feet. I am ready. I have a whistle. I have a compass. I have a cell phone. If I go over, they’ll be with me. I’ll be ok.

The first morning I set out in my kayak I knew I had “come home.” The moment I sat myself down, (and contained the wobbling) nestled in, took a deep breath and exhaled; this calm came over me. Ahhh! Yes, this is great. I started paddling and it all seemed so natural to me as if I’ve been doing this every summer day for years. Well, granted – it’s not a difficult thing to do physically, so it wasn’t as if it was some amazing athletic feat. As I meandered along the shore, mist rising from the warm water and hot coffee in my “to go” mug sitting on the floor within reach, it was all so familiar. Just like my vision.

Being out on the water like this for me is so much more than the physical act of paddling, though. This is a mind-body-soul thing for me. Being out early, paddling, meandering along the shore or being out in the middle of the lake – I stop, close my eyes, breathe deeply, listen, hear, look, see, touch, feel, smell and watch the sun come up. This feeds my soul and satisfies my need for solitude. My soul is nourished, my spirit cleansed. I am renewed. I rejoice.

There is a fellow early morning lake lover who is usually just starting out - in his single man scull - when I am finishing. He put it best when we were talking one morning.

“Being out on the lake, well -- it’s like church for me.”
“Exactly!” I agreed.

I like this church I go to - this great outdoors - where every day is Sunday. I leave my daily morning mass feeling refreshed, renewed, restored - with joy in my heart and this sustains me throughout the rest of my day. Indeed, my cup runneth over. All is right with the world.