Our little family spent the last week on a lake smack dab in the middle of the Adirondack park. The family camp lies nestled right on the beginning of the curve in a quiet bay, where the most traffic you would see all day are the loons with their babies, or the beavers and fish. Yeah, its pretty quiet all right. There are no cars, because there are no roads. The only way to get to the camp is by boat.
There is also no internet and thus the normal world with its IV drip of flowing data and instant gratification is unplugged and forgotten. Everything slows down, and there is nothing to do other then sit on the dock and listen to the water lapping up against the rocks. Well, that isn't exactly true, since now that we have kids, there is always something to do. But Leo too, got into the feeling of camp. The atmosphere mellowed him and bestowed a peachy glow to his otherwise pale little cheek.
It is so easy to put your whole person; mind, body and soul into the hectic lifestyle of our world. It's so easy to go outside only to get into a car, to go to a park only to sit and browse on the iphone. We live in nature, and yet we let it slip by us without a glance. But here at camp, nature is forced on you wether you like it or not. The wildness surrounds you and fills you, and then leaves you feeling clean: lighter somehow, and brighter. You are forced to pay attention to the little things, the tiny things of life that surround you, and that also share a bit of their life with you. It is a gift that we shouldn't ignore. Walking through the woods, don't forget to look up into the mesmerizing dance of leaves and sunshine.
Leaving camp is always hard. Returning to civilization almost puts us into culture shock, even the air seems different, heavier and filled visions of bills and to do lists. But the trick is to keep the visions of camp in our eyes when the stress of everyday living threatens to blind us. To remember and bring back that feeling of peace, of wonder, of just simply being. (Those fishes got to go home, don't worry...)
So as long as we firmly keep the memory of the lake, the mountains, the sunrises, and sunsets in our minds, we won't worry about Leo's next upcoming ordeal in the operating room on Thursday.
Just to remind you, Leo is going in for his corrective eye surgery, which will hopefully fix the wonky muscles in his eyes that persist in rebelling against teamwork. The official name for this condition is strabismus. We are all praying that the surgery will work, and that Leo's vision will be drastically improved, which in turn helps with his balance and walking!
Please keep little man in your prayers, and us too, these next couple of days! As Leo surgeries go, this one should be fairly simple and small, but I can't help it but gather up my courage and strength as if for a big one. At least that way, I will be ready for anything. As will Leo. After all, it can't be all that much harder then hiking up a mountain, right?
There is also no internet and thus the normal world with its IV drip of flowing data and instant gratification is unplugged and forgotten. Everything slows down, and there is nothing to do other then sit on the dock and listen to the water lapping up against the rocks. Well, that isn't exactly true, since now that we have kids, there is always something to do. But Leo too, got into the feeling of camp. The atmosphere mellowed him and bestowed a peachy glow to his otherwise pale little cheek.
It is so easy to put your whole person; mind, body and soul into the hectic lifestyle of our world. It's so easy to go outside only to get into a car, to go to a park only to sit and browse on the iphone. We live in nature, and yet we let it slip by us without a glance. But here at camp, nature is forced on you wether you like it or not. The wildness surrounds you and fills you, and then leaves you feeling clean: lighter somehow, and brighter. You are forced to pay attention to the little things, the tiny things of life that surround you, and that also share a bit of their life with you. It is a gift that we shouldn't ignore. Walking through the woods, don't forget to look up into the mesmerizing dance of leaves and sunshine.
Leaving camp is always hard. Returning to civilization almost puts us into culture shock, even the air seems different, heavier and filled visions of bills and to do lists. But the trick is to keep the visions of camp in our eyes when the stress of everyday living threatens to blind us. To remember and bring back that feeling of peace, of wonder, of just simply being. (Those fishes got to go home, don't worry...)
So as long as we firmly keep the memory of the lake, the mountains, the sunrises, and sunsets in our minds, we won't worry about Leo's next upcoming ordeal in the operating room on Thursday.
Just to remind you, Leo is going in for his corrective eye surgery, which will hopefully fix the wonky muscles in his eyes that persist in rebelling against teamwork. The official name for this condition is strabismus. We are all praying that the surgery will work, and that Leo's vision will be drastically improved, which in turn helps with his balance and walking!
Please keep little man in your prayers, and us too, these next couple of days! As Leo surgeries go, this one should be fairly simple and small, but I can't help it but gather up my courage and strength as if for a big one. At least that way, I will be ready for anything. As will Leo. After all, it can't be all that much harder then hiking up a mountain, right?
May Saint Paraskevi Bless Leo's eyes with her Holy Prayers. Her feast is this month on July 26th.
ReplyDeleteI have been following little mans story and progress. Such a big fighter in a bitty body. We all have taken a real shine to this little guy. What a gift we have from him as inspiration. God bless you with love and happiness.
ReplyDeleteYour description of camp sounds soooo wonderful! What a blessing to enjoy in the midst of summer. Soon this next surgery will be behind you and you'll be on to enjoying the warm days of summer again.
ReplyDeleteO Lord Jesus Christ our God, You patiently endured the wounding and scourging of Your most holy Body, that You might heal the bodily and spiritual wounds of Your sinful creatures. Look with compassion upon Your servant Leo as he waits for the wounding of his body through medical means intended for his good, both body and soul. Bless the hands of those who will operate and assist, granting them wisdom and skill through Your heavenly grace and protection. Grant him to endure this present suffering for the salvation of his soul and body. Give him the strength to bear whatever You allow to happen to him. He offers himself to You in faith and love, trusting that Your gracious will governs his life in every way. For You are the God of mercy and salvation and we glorify You, O Lord Jesus Christ, together with Your Father who is from everlasting, and Your most holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen
ReplyDeleteLots of love and blessings to you all this week! I think no matter how many times your little one has surgery, it always bills heavily on a parents' heart. Glad you got to soak up some beauty this week before heading to the hospital. Prayers your way!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a beautiful week in the mountains...and yes, how we forget to notice the beauty God has provided us for the iphone! I'll be thinking and praying for little man and all of you tomorrow. Big smooch to him from his Godmomma :-)
ReplyDeleteI had three of those surgeries when I was little - and the main thing I remember was that I got to have a popsicle afterwards! I'll be praying that the little lion's experience is just as smooth!
ReplyDeleteOur little baby who we adopted from Ukraine also had this surgery (and again at 12 years old) and she did wonderfully - I'm praying that Leo does as well - he's a fighter.
ReplyDelete