There’s something about being at the lake, even on a cold, windy day, that just feels right to me. Last camping trip we took was to Round Lake, and one of the days the beach was completely empty—no surprise, considering how chilly it was. The sky was gray, the wind was sharp, and my kids were definitely not impressed. They made it pretty clear they’d rather be anywhere else, and honestly, I can’t blame them. This wasn’t exactly the postcard-perfect lake day most people imagine.
But for me, there’s a certain kind of peace that comes from standing by the water, even when the weather is less than ideal. I love listening to the waves crash against the shore and watching the wind stir up the lake’s surface. There’s a simplicity to it that I don’t get anywhere else. If I’d been by myself, I would have parked myself on the sand—hood up, book in hand—and just settled in for the afternoon.
Instead, I tried to convince my kids that collecting rocks or watching the waves could be fun, but they were having none of it, neither was the husband, he HATES being cold. So as everyone left the beach, piling into friends vehicles, my husband stayed back so that I could have a ew moments. I stayed at the beach on my own taking in the moment.
The lake isn’t always about sunshine and swimming. Sometimes, it’s about finding a little space for yourself, even when the conditions aren’t perfect and no one else really gets it. Days like this might not make for the best family photos, but they’re real. And sometimes, that’s enough.
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