Being: Conscious, mortal existence; life. Every month we welcome two families, two people, two voices to share their stories in whatever way they chose. We hope that you find joy in their daily lives, and their simple habit of just being.
I am a proud Kansan. While others may joke about all that’s “the matter” with where I live, I look up at the stars at night and imagine how heroic my pioneer ancestors must have been to come live in a place with so big a sky. I believe the rolling prairie in late Spring and Summer is one of the most beautiful places on this Earth, second only to the bleak desolation of the fields covered with snow in Winter. The clean smell of the air…the cicadas chirping…the Midwestern manners and work ethic and feeding-people-thing…it’s all in my bones the way that no where else can ever be. But yet, every few years or so, I need to dip my toes in an ocean. It’s not just, “I need to go on vacation,” or “I need to relax on a beach for a week.” It’s bigger. Something in my soul needs to smell the tang of the wind whipping across the water and feel the heavy, slow, smush of wet sand under my feet.
Although the ocean and the prairie can be similarly expansive—both tend to make my heart feel too big for my ribcage—the wildness of the waves has an edge of danger that grass can’t match. Wading in and letting them spray over me, swimming out and looking back at the shore, imagining the mysterious creatures that could be floating right next to me—it all makes me feel brave and reckless and free. I suppose it’s a bit like a drug, albeit a mild and healthy one. Happily, last week I was able to get my “fix”. It had been so long that the yearning was starting to get distracting. Now I can return to land, refreshed, steady, and settled….until next time. Thank you to Meryl of My Bit of Earth for being with us all this month. We hope that you will join us every Wednesday as Meryl shares her reflections, photos, and words.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Where I live there is no ocean, and no vast open prairie, but there are towering mountain peaks, and red rocky deserts. There is so much natural beauty on this earth, and it feels so good to pause and look around. I haven’t spent much time on beaches and in oceans, but I would very much like to get to know the sea better.
I share your love of the ocean, Meryl, and the healing power of salt water for the soul. But, I love how you describe Kansas, too. Reminds me of where I grew up in Ontario with the cicadas and the very different beauty than that of the west coast where I live now. How lovely for you that you can visit the ocean often!
I’m a Kansan who now lives in Washington State. I’m lucky to see the Sound, the Mountains, and the Ocean quite often. I agree with everything you say about the experience. What I don’t get to see very often enough is my childhood home and the town where I went to college. My heart felt so full as you described Kansas. I also went to your blog and began to scroll, and there I saw such a wonderful sight! Lawrence, KS. You made my day. I long to walk on Mass Street again soon. Thank you for bringing a little bit of my other home here to me today.
Glad I could help Carrie! We love Lawrence–such an awesome place to be–although everywhere has it’s beautiful bits.
I completely *get* this! 10 years ago I lived in Livorno, Italy which is a port town. We had a shuttle that ran from our apartment right to the beach and the return shuttle would come 2 hours later. We went to the beach so often that all these years later I *need* to go spend time soaking in that rhythm again. Your descriptions of Kansas make my heart long for the big sky and wide plains. Now I think I need to add it to my ‘places I want to visit’ list. Thanks!
Beautiful. I live by the ocean. Almost always have. But I love the mountains. I often thought that if I had to choose, I would be a mountain girl. But recently, when a job change and move were a conversation, I realized that I would have a very difficult time being away from the shore. For all that water, it is incredibly grounding.