Gosh, I've been feeling this homesickness for the water. the big blue. the expanse. big Mama Ocean. I've been high up on the mountains for so many years now. I’ve been grateful for a perspective that is so wide and grand (as well as great depths inside the valley and caves) but that immensity: of the waves, the depths, the womb. the beginning... I miss it so dearly. I feel crunchy, like I'm drying out without her misty kiss.
I have heard that many old souls are getting called back home to the ocean. There is so much more I wish I could share here about this call. but yeah. With you. No matter how many rivers, waterfalls, streams I visit and sit with... no matter how many rains I sit in... it's not mama Mar.
Oh my, did this ever speak to me. I also live in a state bordering a Great Lake and, yet, I would drive the many hours to ‘just be’ by the sea. The sea gives me both roots and wings. It is my ancestry, my rock, and my heart. The lake and freshwater would not do for me - no smell of salt air and being bound in by land is not for me. Give me the sea anytime and my restlessness is cured and I can breathe. Loved this!
I believe you! I have lived with the lake and its lake-effect snow in winter, and its breezes during spring and summer. Nothing, absolutely nothing, compares to the ocean, be it the Atlantic (my favorite) or the Pacific. The feeling of connection is almost indescribable. I live in an arid environment now, which requires a 1-2 hour drive to the ocean when I absolutely cannot stand being away from the ocean anymore.
I see your point about the ocean, but before you give up on the Great Lakes, see every one of them from somewhere besides Chicago. No salt water itches, sharks or jellyfish may be one advantage. 😊 I lived in Chicago for a while, worked on the South Side, near Lake Shore Drive, and I never found the shoreline there all that captivating. The Michigan side of Lake Michigan or the Wisconsin beaches are awesome, and so is Lake Superior—very cold and powerful! I’ve lived in Michigan most of my life, although inland, and until last year, I had never seen Lake Huron, if you can believe it. It’s also a little less frequented and also vast, but I like it as well as Lake Michigan. Erie and Ontario aren’t bad, either.
My grandparents settled in Iron River in the UP, so, growing up, I spent almost every summer there . Lots of lakes, no oceans, but pretty chill. Glad you’re been there!
I absolutely love this. Almost as much, maybe as much as the Two Dawns.
I said once that the tree doesn't love me back and someone told me it did, by providing me with oxygen. You might be small compared to the ocean, but when you walk into it, you make it ripple.
Gosh, I've been feeling this homesickness for the water. the big blue. the expanse. big Mama Ocean. I've been high up on the mountains for so many years now. I’ve been grateful for a perspective that is so wide and grand (as well as great depths inside the valley and caves) but that immensity: of the waves, the depths, the womb. the beginning... I miss it so dearly. I feel crunchy, like I'm drying out without her misty kiss.
I have heard that many old souls are getting called back home to the ocean. There is so much more I wish I could share here about this call. but yeah. With you. No matter how many rivers, waterfalls, streams I visit and sit with... no matter how many rains I sit in... it's not mama Mar.
Oh my, did this ever speak to me. I also live in a state bordering a Great Lake and, yet, I would drive the many hours to ‘just be’ by the sea. The sea gives me both roots and wings. It is my ancestry, my rock, and my heart. The lake and freshwater would not do for me - no smell of salt air and being bound in by land is not for me. Give me the sea anytime and my restlessness is cured and I can breathe. Loved this!
It made me think of one of my hauntingly favourite songs about the Great Lakes.
The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald
Song by Gordon Lightfoot - 1976
I believe you! I have lived with the lake and its lake-effect snow in winter, and its breezes during spring and summer. Nothing, absolutely nothing, compares to the ocean, be it the Atlantic (my favorite) or the Pacific. The feeling of connection is almost indescribable. I live in an arid environment now, which requires a 1-2 hour drive to the ocean when I absolutely cannot stand being away from the ocean anymore.
This makes me want to go to the ocean so bad.
Oh yeah, I’m an ocean soul too. The ocean & I have an understanding — it gives me heaven & I promise to always come back.🌊
I see your point about the ocean, but before you give up on the Great Lakes, see every one of them from somewhere besides Chicago. No salt water itches, sharks or jellyfish may be one advantage. 😊 I lived in Chicago for a while, worked on the South Side, near Lake Shore Drive, and I never found the shoreline there all that captivating. The Michigan side of Lake Michigan or the Wisconsin beaches are awesome, and so is Lake Superior—very cold and powerful! I’ve lived in Michigan most of my life, although inland, and until last year, I had never seen Lake Huron, if you can believe it. It’s also a little less frequented and also vast, but I like it as well as Lake Michigan. Erie and Ontario aren’t bad, either.
I've got family in UP and been to that side plenty.
It still ain't the ocean. But people from Michigan feel the opposite. I can understand. But the lakes aren't the same to me.
My grandparents settled in Iron River in the UP, so, growing up, I spent almost every summer there . Lots of lakes, no oceans, but pretty chill. Glad you’re been there!
I absolutely love this. Almost as much, maybe as much as the Two Dawns.
I said once that the tree doesn't love me back and someone told me it did, by providing me with oxygen. You might be small compared to the ocean, but when you walk into it, you make it ripple.
This piece, too.
Just beautiful!! No other words do this justice.
What a beautiful piece of writing. I’m going back to re read it immediately! 🧡
The ache is palpable. Gorgeous. Relatable. Thank you.