The Northwoods

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Oct 14

My husband has been visiting the same place with his family for almost 40 years. In keeping with the family tradition, we have started bringing our kids—they love Nonnie and Papa’s cabin! We had our most recent visit a couple of weeks ago. We loved it just as much as we always do. The weather was perfect, and the company was great.

The words below refer to our trip from last September…

Have you ever sat in stillness and absorbed the sounds around you? The gentle squeak of the wooden swing hanging from the pine trees as you gaze upon the birch trees enveloping you from all sides. The woodpecker that never takes a break. The owl who watches with all his wisdom from above as you close your eyes and push the swing to the rhythm of the subtle waves crashing upon the dock below. Have you ever taken a moment of gratitude as the sunlight reflects off the water and felt that you were exactly where you needed to be? These peaceful moments, the ones that make you feel grounded and adventurous all at the same time, happen for me in what my mother-in-law refers to as her brown bear heaven--Hayward, Wisconsin. Also known as the Northwoods.

My husband and son were fishing off the dock as I held my baby girl one morning. We were visiting my in-law’s cabin for the annual Brown vacation. It was one of those mornings where the air was crisp, not quite the chill of Fall, but Summer was graciously bidding us farewell. I felt a sudden rush of inspiration. Who knows what creative concepts I could come up with if I had that backdrop around me all the time. It was in that slow, simple morning that I could appreciate this beautiful place and give thanks for the opportunity to be in that exact moment at that exact time, with those exact people. My most important people. After we were done letting our sweet boy cast his pole for the last time, I returned to the dock alone in my thoughts and smiled. I knew T-Rex and Tuck were about to depart on their next great adventure, exploring the Northwoods.

T-Rex and Tuck Explore the Northwoods is a personal homage to a beautiful and serene morning with my family. A morning that we slowed down and enjoyed. That’s how it happens sometimes, your surroundings beckon to be noticed and for you as the observer to be still; to take it all in. Be in this exact moment at this exact time and acknowledge the beauty in the here and now. I urge you to take a pulse today to take a deep breath (right now, do it, seriously just do it), hug your loved ones a little tighter and smile…you never know what creative spark might ignite in the stillness.