My Beloved Place

"We saw a white speck before us. It was the barracks of Mackinac stretching along the side of the green hills and clearly visible before the town came into view. The Island looked enchanting as we approached, as I think it always must, though we had the advantage of seeing it first in the most golden sunshine that ever hallowed lake or shore. The colors were upon all the little vessels in the harbor. The national flag streamed from the garrison. The soldiers thronged the walls of the barracks: half-breed boys were paddling about in their canoes, in the transparent waters: the half French, half Indian population of the place were all abroad in their best. An Indian lodge was on the shore and a picturesque dark group stood beside it. The cows coming down the steep slope to the milking. Nothing could be more bright and joyous."

"No words can give an idea of the charms of this morning walk. We wound about in a vast shrubbery with ripe strawberries under foot, wild flowers all around, and scattered knolls; and opening vistas tempting curiosity in every direction."

"Such a cluster of little paradises rising out of such a congregation of waters. Blue waters in every direction, wholly unlike any aspect of the sea: cloud shadows and specks of white vessels. Bowery islands rise out of it, bowery promontories stretch down into it; while at ones feet lies the melting beauty which one almost fears will vanish in its softness before one's eyes; the beauty of the shadowy dells and sunny mounds, with browsing cattle and springing fruit and flowers. Thus would I fain think did the world emerge from the flood."

"We were in great delight at having seen Mackinac, at having the possession of it's singular imagery of life. But this delight was dashed with it's sorrow of leaving it. I could not have believed how deeply it is possible to regret a place, after so brief an acquaintance with it."

"It is known to me as the wildest and tenderest piece of beauty that I have yet seen on God's earth."

-Harriet Martineau describing Mackinac Island

Thought I would share that...

a year ago today i never would have dreamed that I would have fallen in love with that place

There is not a day that goes by that i don't think about Mackinac Island, about the people that i met, and the place and the history, about next year.

This experience and these memories i've created and will continue to create are going to last me a lifetime.

And for that I am so grateful, the summer away changed who I am, and despite my moments of despair and melancholy, i wouldn't trade anything for the world...

i do believe that everything happens for a reason, that people are placed in our lives for a purpose, not just as a stroke of luck or not.

my heart is in a funny place right now...not entirely sure where....

i still have a lot to think about

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i'm sure i'll update again tomorrow after the interview :)