Slice of Life: To Live Near Water 28 of 31

Today we went on a bit of an adventure.  When I had last visited my mom I had managed to find a bench with a great view to the water while on a walk one lazy afternoon.  Of course, I wasn't really sure where that bench might be, but with a few bits of logic we began to narrow the possibilities and took off to find it.

We knew it had to be close.  I wasn't likely to have walked too far in this hilly place.  I always joke that I'm from the flatlands.  I'm not used to mountains.  My mom, however, assures me they are just tiny foothills.  We went down the road I figured was most likely to be the one I would have chosen to wander.   It wasn't too far from the road to my mom's house and was pretty easy to access.

When we came upon a steeper than normal hill, my daughter quipped she doubted I would have gone down that hill knowing I would have to come back up it.  She had a point, but I could see water.  I knew I'd break this rule to be near the water.

We ventured down the hill.   Down, down, down, we climbed.  Of course, I knew soon we'd have to go right back up, up, up.  As we got to the bottom of the hill we could see the spot.  The bench sat near the water, surrounded by tall thin pines shading it from the sun.  We sat down for a minute and enjoyed the view.  It was a quiet place.  You could see water on both sides and gently rolling foothills seemed to hold it in place.  The only boat was a small fishing boat that was quietly poised to spend some time hoping for a big catch.

The scene was just as I had remembered it.  The water quiet and so clear you could look down into it.  The bench allowed one to sit and watch for as long as desired.  Since I had found the bench last, they had added a small boat dock to the area, some picnic tables, and a few grills.  It looked like a great place to just stop and hang out.   The bench sat alone to the side.

There's something calming about being near water.  With the sun reflecting from the lake, the color is intensified.  Do people who live near the water ever take it for granted?  I'd love to have a place that makes me want to pull my paper out and try to write; where the challenge each day would be to try to capture the wonder in a photograph.  Happiness can always be found near water.  When you need a minute to sort things out the water calls to you, "Sit down for a bit.  We'll think about it together."  Before you know it, the water has taken all of your cares away and replaced them with something better to consider.

For the month of March I will be participating in the March Slice of Life Challenge hosted at Two Writing Teachers.  It will be a busy month of writing, commenting, and learning with this community.  This year I've decided to try to focus my writing around happiness.  Stop by today's link up to join the conversation or find some great reading.