At the end of the (Labor) Day
We just finished talking to my mother, wishing her a Happy Birthday. It sounds like she had a nice day surrounded by family. Me too. my Mom's birthday is a unique mile marker for me, as it's the day that I first set foot in West Michigan, 21 years ago. September 5, 1990, I got off the plane at GRR and whilst I've flown home dozens of times since, I've never left.
It would be silly and false to pretend I don't regret that in some ways. I still very much miss seeing my family on a day-to-day basis. I miss the trees and the weather and the places of my youth. I miss Ollalie Lake, Manzanita, 10th Avenue in Portland, walking the back hills of Oregon City. Much of that has changed since I've moved however. In fact, today's weather in West Michigan is much like costal Oregon Summer of the 80s. My Mom told me it was 88 degrees today at home. Here, it was 61.
We got up today with the intention of canoeing on Gun Lake, down towards Kalamazoo. We were so gung-ho that we didn't't do the prudent thing and call and check the conditions. When we arrived, there were one foot breakers and the lake was visibly choppy. The rental shop attendants smiled knowingly as we entered the shop warily. 10 minutes later, we were rescheduled for later on in the month, and had an unexpectedly open day ahead of us.
So we drove. Rather imprudently, we took 31 down to Martin, cut across 222 thru Allegan, up 89 to Allegan Dam Road and then took one of those side trips you always intend to take. "I wonder what's down Allegan Dam Road" Shel would always ask as we passed by. It became something of a "thing" for us. Turns out, it's the Allegan Dam. We watched as fishermen threw lines at the murky waters, hoping for something, but likely expecting nothing other than a lazy Labor Day repast. We noted that only one of the gates was open, that there were a lot of dead fish, marveled at the miles of fishing line tangled around the power line dangling above, and then moved on to further adventure.
We headed West, towards the lakeshore, not exactly sure where we wanted to end up. On the way, peaches were purchased, turkeys were observed, and our destination settled: Oval Beach in Saugatuck. Why not? The weather was not picture perfect Michigan summer, but that didn't stop the boys from stripping down and heading towards the waves. The cold water sent them back to the sands, however, and we spent the next couple of hours playing frisbee, eating our picnic lunch intended for the canoes, and enjoying each other's company. As they get older, it becomes equally more difficult and easier to spend time together. As families are likely to do, the boys can't help but bicker amongst themselves, nitpicking and parenting each other, whilst Shel and I attempt to both overcorrect and under compensate for the cacophonous din of love and laughter and anger and frustration. It was the best two hours I've spent in a long time.
There was dinner, and unpacking and decompressing and wishing happy Birthday wishes to Grandmothers. There was discussion of allowances and chores, pre packing lunches for school tomorrow, but my heart lies back in those windswept two hours from earlier this afternoon. They're fleeting, these Moments of Pleasure that Kate Bush so sagely referred to in a song late last century. This rare instances in life where you KNOW IN THE MOMENT that that very moment is to be pocketed and treasured forever. Often, you try and manufacture the memories, camera at the ready to capture the mechanical moment, only to be disappointed at the regularity of it all, upon review. But this? Today? Forever mine.
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