Returning from Summer Vacation 2008

© by Cathrene Gehue, 2008.

This year, a trip to Mavillette Beach in Nova Scotia left a memorable impression.

We anticipated warm sunny weather and hoped to spend an afternoon enjoying a picnic lunch soaking up some sun. As we drove toward the grass covered sand dune that separates the beach from the main land, a wall of sea fog and mist descended all around.

We parked, unpacked the chairs and the cooler from the car, determined to spend some time at the beach despite the sea weather, especially after driving one and a half hours.

At first we thought we were alone there, as we sat fully clothed in the chairs, camped where the large stones littered the highest slope of the beach. We marveled at the density of the fog, at how it diminished our scope of vision.

In the distance we could hear voices. Darting in and out of the fog, a few children flitted in and out of our vision. They seemed like ghosts.

We sipped at well concealed wine, which warmed us from the wet breeze coming off the ocean. Being there with only a couple of others on this vast seaside beach was eerie and beautiful at the same time. When we explored the beach, walking in ice cold sea water, we could only ever see a few yards ahead of us at any time.

We were never concerned about being startled by anything strange emerging from that fog, even though we’d never been to this place before. Though we couldn’t see the whole beach all at once, we did experience all of it, a bit at a time, veils of spectral fog parting before us as we strolled from one end to the other.

The smell of rain in the air finally chased us away, but not before walking in the low tide, which left behind pools of water trapped in sandbars; not before squishing the fine tan-coloured cold sand beneath our toes; not before picking through an assortment of unoccupied clam and lobster shells and colourful rocks. Our heads were bowed to the ground most of the time.

Would we have even noticed those shells and rocks if it were a clear day, our vision unobstructed by the vast distance and openness of the Bay of Fundy? Would we have been so enraptured by the horizon we’d fail to see what was right at our feet?

This scope of vision during our time on Mavillette Beach finally sunk in the importance of staying focused on immediate surroundings, which can include enjoying where we are in life now as we move toward fulfilling our dreams.

What tasks can we accomplish now based on the skills we have now? Being focused on skills needed for future tasks, not only creates a gap, but one that is difficult to bridge as we struggle to move toward our destination. By focusing on our immediate environment, our skills and the task we can accomplish in that environment, there were only ever be a constant unveiling of the path to that final destination.

I apply this to writing. The thought of navigating through contractual agreements and dealing with editors to have short stories and novels published is a dreadful notion right now, partly because I don’t have the knowledge or skills, but that’s only because I’m not there yet. I’m here.

Worrying about what happens five steps ahead of where I am just doesn’t work. It makes it impossible to get that first step taken, the first step being working on blog articles, working on stories and novels to eventually be submitted for publication. So I’m keeping my head down for now, writing.

Thanks to every one for your patience over the summer.