"For me the great lesson from the tides is to walk steadily, and depending on the time of day, understand that there are things that will be hidden, and things that will be revealed."
I love this understanding, Gerry. It makes me think of the many early-morning walks along Lido Beach, in Florida, with my dad, after my parents retired to Sarasota years ago. We would stoop to pick up beautiful shells, watch the sunrise, chase seagulls, and wade into the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico talking about everything and nothing, the most existential questions of life.
Long after Daddy crossed over to that other horizon, any time I am near a body of water--and especially the ocean--I hold these same conversations with him, and I am sure I can still hear him answering back. Questions hidden and revealed.
Oh Robin what a beautiful memory to share here. I love the idea of you having these powerful conversations with your father anytime you are near a body of water, particularly the ocean--and knowing, knowing he is answering back and that you are still receiving the influence and wisdom of his presence. Again being open and surrendering to what is and allowing certain things to be hidden and knowing when the time is right, what is meant to be revealed, shall be. Thank you for this Robin!
When I was a child I so looked forward to the Sunday Tribune. My father would sort out the sections of the paper and pass us the comics. I thought it doesn't get better than that. I'm in my early 70s and feel the very same excitement and anticipation when I search in my email for Spontaneous Me! It launches and sets the tone for my new week. It is both intimate and expansive. It leads me to places I've never been.
"Gift From the Sea" is a favorite of mine and so I will revisit that friend.
Oh Mary what a lovely compliment, I'm really truly honored that you find it sets the tone of your new week. Honestly, I take that to heart and I will be showing up to future articles with that sentiment in mind--no one has ever framed it like that for me. I'm so moved! Thank you!
Yes "Gift of the Sea" is a true treasure--so many people have yet to discover it--I find that it still holds up and offers stability and strength in these troubled times. I'd love to talk about it if you decide to revisit it this year!
From your childhood blowup swimming pool and family vacations to Florida, to the view of the lake out your Chicago high-rise and the sea where you now live, bodies of water have followed you and found you all your life. Like the tides, the ebb and flow of our lives take us toward and away from ourselves, but always, always we arrive where we are meant to be. Anne Morrow's book is one of my favorite, too, and I have taken it with me to the Coast here in the Pacific Northwest, and just spread myself out in the sand and watched the waves rise and fall and reach and pull, rise and fall and reach and pull, their dance with the sea. We are these waters with each other, in the rise and fall and reach and pull. The cycles of our lives. Loved this essay of yours, Gerard.
Claire thank you as always for your generous comments and for knowing me so well as you do. I love all these wondrous things that we share and feel connected to you by these wonderful bodies of water we touch. I love so deeply so dearly that we can receive one another with such empathy and trust. What a beautiful lifelong gift this has been, one I cherish and honor and so appreciate!
Thank you Gerard. I find our relationships with where we create our home is deeply personal and sometimes difficult to express or know why a place feels like home. Going on the journey with you until you get your new place by the sea… I felt I was travelling with you. As I’m changing homes it made be think more about what is it that feels like home for me. For me- it’s the cafes, the terrasses, the rivers through a city… there’s something about water flowing through a big city such as Paris, London, Stockholm…. Walks on sunny days, picnics… I also need streets with creative boutique stores- there’s something that reminds me on my childhood there. I’m waffling… but thanks!
You and I dear Emily are twins of spirit. As my mom would say, “we’re cut from the same cloth”—thank you for putting into words what has always existed in our friendship, the love of a small community the context of a larger urban life. And one that exists near bodies of water. You and I are drawn to those flowing bodies of water and they essential to the equilibrium of our souls! Thank you always for showing up and knocking me out with your keen perception!!
I love this post, Gerry, and the photos are stunning, with skies one could only hope to swim in. There is something special, indeed, about beaches and bodies of water, in general. Your new neighborhood seems to anchor you to the beauty and rhythm of the tides, as well as any gifts you might choose to pick up before they get overtaken by sand and sea.
And I think this is a perfect segue to the following: "I’m staying committed now, at this point in my life, to carefully examining and understanding my own relationship with myself first, and acknowledging that this is the crucial lens to examine all other bonds in my life." Yes, living seaside as you are, you are perhaps revisiting your relationship with yourself first and foremost. After all, our relationships with ourselves is so important, the most important relationship we have.
When I was a kid growing up in the Bronx, my family went on weekly pilgrimmages to Orchard Beach, also in the Bronx, where my brother and I -- as well as some friends -- would get a close-up view of acquatic nature. I loved the illusion of the sand running under my feet, as a wave descended. Playing in the sand and being a part of this scene was crucial to my understanding of the nature of a large body of water.
Thank you for this beautiful essay, Gerry. I so appreciate it, and I appreciate you!
Thank you dear friend for your insightful remarks. I love this memory that you share about growing up in the Bronx and heading out to Orchard Beach. When we encounter these immense bodies of water we sense that there is something beyond ourselves--the power of nature, the mystery of aquatic life--whatever it is--we are taken up as kids by this notion that there is something "beyond us" or "something greater than us" . .and that's indeed such a powerful childhood impression. You bring out a good point Beth, living so near to the sea as I do, I've become more reflective and concerned with the quality of relationship I'm having with myself. The sea mirrors back to me my mood, my disposition, my relationship with the present moment. So I'm careful to note that I need to be well with myself before I can engage too deeply with another. The Mediterranean is a great teacher, the reflection of where I am with myself. I feel so blessed to be so near and so in touch every day. Thank you for joining me my friend.
Great post. There is something about water that I am drawn to. I guess it is the same for many people. I've lived on the shores of Lake Michigan for many years to watch the waves come and go, and now I live on the shores of an inland lake that brings so much wildlife to watch. Additionally, most of the trips I've had over the years has also been in and around water. I find it so relaxing and peaceful. And always something different. I'll check out the book you recommended-Gift From the Sea. Sounds interesting.
Nancy I think you will fall in love with Lindbergh's classic--you'll see yourself in it!'
I so agree, I loved Lake Michigan--both on the Michigan and the Illinois sides! And yes, if I have a choice of where to vacation, point me towards the water. I am just called to it as you are--it's so calming and ever-present! Thank you for sharing here today!
So proud of you and the way you see the world, I feel lucky to witness your 'trail of beauty' firsthand ❤️
I"m so honored that we can share this trail of beauty together! Thank you for being such an essential part of the journey.
"For me the great lesson from the tides is to walk steadily, and depending on the time of day, understand that there are things that will be hidden, and things that will be revealed."
I love this understanding, Gerry. It makes me think of the many early-morning walks along Lido Beach, in Florida, with my dad, after my parents retired to Sarasota years ago. We would stoop to pick up beautiful shells, watch the sunrise, chase seagulls, and wade into the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico talking about everything and nothing, the most existential questions of life.
Long after Daddy crossed over to that other horizon, any time I am near a body of water--and especially the ocean--I hold these same conversations with him, and I am sure I can still hear him answering back. Questions hidden and revealed.
Thank you.
Oh Robin what a beautiful memory to share here. I love the idea of you having these powerful conversations with your father anytime you are near a body of water, particularly the ocean--and knowing, knowing he is answering back and that you are still receiving the influence and wisdom of his presence. Again being open and surrendering to what is and allowing certain things to be hidden and knowing when the time is right, what is meant to be revealed, shall be. Thank you for this Robin!
Thank you for sharing the beauty of being by the sea--your essay that opened this memory for me. Buried treasure!
When I was a child I so looked forward to the Sunday Tribune. My father would sort out the sections of the paper and pass us the comics. I thought it doesn't get better than that. I'm in my early 70s and feel the very same excitement and anticipation when I search in my email for Spontaneous Me! It launches and sets the tone for my new week. It is both intimate and expansive. It leads me to places I've never been.
"Gift From the Sea" is a favorite of mine and so I will revisit that friend.
Oh Mary what a lovely compliment, I'm really truly honored that you find it sets the tone of your new week. Honestly, I take that to heart and I will be showing up to future articles with that sentiment in mind--no one has ever framed it like that for me. I'm so moved! Thank you!
Yes "Gift of the Sea" is a true treasure--so many people have yet to discover it--I find that it still holds up and offers stability and strength in these troubled times. I'd love to talk about it if you decide to revisit it this year!
From your childhood blowup swimming pool and family vacations to Florida, to the view of the lake out your Chicago high-rise and the sea where you now live, bodies of water have followed you and found you all your life. Like the tides, the ebb and flow of our lives take us toward and away from ourselves, but always, always we arrive where we are meant to be. Anne Morrow's book is one of my favorite, too, and I have taken it with me to the Coast here in the Pacific Northwest, and just spread myself out in the sand and watched the waves rise and fall and reach and pull, rise and fall and reach and pull, their dance with the sea. We are these waters with each other, in the rise and fall and reach and pull. The cycles of our lives. Loved this essay of yours, Gerard.
Claire thank you as always for your generous comments and for knowing me so well as you do. I love all these wondrous things that we share and feel connected to you by these wonderful bodies of water we touch. I love so deeply so dearly that we can receive one another with such empathy and trust. What a beautiful lifelong gift this has been, one I cherish and honor and so appreciate!
Thank you Gerard. I find our relationships with where we create our home is deeply personal and sometimes difficult to express or know why a place feels like home. Going on the journey with you until you get your new place by the sea… I felt I was travelling with you. As I’m changing homes it made be think more about what is it that feels like home for me. For me- it’s the cafes, the terrasses, the rivers through a city… there’s something about water flowing through a big city such as Paris, London, Stockholm…. Walks on sunny days, picnics… I also need streets with creative boutique stores- there’s something that reminds me on my childhood there. I’m waffling… but thanks!
You and I dear Emily are twins of spirit. As my mom would say, “we’re cut from the same cloth”—thank you for putting into words what has always existed in our friendship, the love of a small community the context of a larger urban life. And one that exists near bodies of water. You and I are drawn to those flowing bodies of water and they essential to the equilibrium of our souls! Thank you always for showing up and knocking me out with your keen perception!!
I love this post, Gerry, and the photos are stunning, with skies one could only hope to swim in. There is something special, indeed, about beaches and bodies of water, in general. Your new neighborhood seems to anchor you to the beauty and rhythm of the tides, as well as any gifts you might choose to pick up before they get overtaken by sand and sea.
And I think this is a perfect segue to the following: "I’m staying committed now, at this point in my life, to carefully examining and understanding my own relationship with myself first, and acknowledging that this is the crucial lens to examine all other bonds in my life." Yes, living seaside as you are, you are perhaps revisiting your relationship with yourself first and foremost. After all, our relationships with ourselves is so important, the most important relationship we have.
When I was a kid growing up in the Bronx, my family went on weekly pilgrimmages to Orchard Beach, also in the Bronx, where my brother and I -- as well as some friends -- would get a close-up view of acquatic nature. I loved the illusion of the sand running under my feet, as a wave descended. Playing in the sand and being a part of this scene was crucial to my understanding of the nature of a large body of water.
Thank you for this beautiful essay, Gerry. I so appreciate it, and I appreciate you!
Thank you dear friend for your insightful remarks. I love this memory that you share about growing up in the Bronx and heading out to Orchard Beach. When we encounter these immense bodies of water we sense that there is something beyond ourselves--the power of nature, the mystery of aquatic life--whatever it is--we are taken up as kids by this notion that there is something "beyond us" or "something greater than us" . .and that's indeed such a powerful childhood impression. You bring out a good point Beth, living so near to the sea as I do, I've become more reflective and concerned with the quality of relationship I'm having with myself. The sea mirrors back to me my mood, my disposition, my relationship with the present moment. So I'm careful to note that I need to be well with myself before I can engage too deeply with another. The Mediterranean is a great teacher, the reflection of where I am with myself. I feel so blessed to be so near and so in touch every day. Thank you for joining me my friend.
Great post. There is something about water that I am drawn to. I guess it is the same for many people. I've lived on the shores of Lake Michigan for many years to watch the waves come and go, and now I live on the shores of an inland lake that brings so much wildlife to watch. Additionally, most of the trips I've had over the years has also been in and around water. I find it so relaxing and peaceful. And always something different. I'll check out the book you recommended-Gift From the Sea. Sounds interesting.
Nancy I think you will fall in love with Lindbergh's classic--you'll see yourself in it!'
I so agree, I loved Lake Michigan--both on the Michigan and the Illinois sides! And yes, if I have a choice of where to vacation, point me towards the water. I am just called to it as you are--it's so calming and ever-present! Thank you for sharing here today!
Oh Gerard, thank you for your gift of writing--and friendship. I treasure us!