A moment of Zen

Labor Day weekend normally marks the end of summer and the beginning of a more busy time in our lives. People enjoy camping, go on small vacations, watch college football and an abundance of other things. We spent the much needed, three-day weekend with family and friends.

The most relaxing part of the weekend came on Sunday night. We had taken a day trip up to Lake Holcombe to visit my parents, aunt and uncle and cousins who were all up at my aunt and uncle’s cabin. After a day full of golf, sitting around the campfi re and telling stories and family dinner, we took to the pontoon to enjoy a ride across the lake at sunset.

The result was something that seemed straight out of a movie. You can see a picture of the sunset to the right of this column but believe me when I tell you that the picture doesn’t quite do it justice. There are always sunsets on the lake and I’m not so sure this one wasn’t that much different than any of those other sunsets but to experience it after what has been a busy week and day, it made it an extra special spectacle.

The sun set behind the tree line which portrayed this shadow effect on the trees and ended up giving it a spooky feel. The sun reflected up into the clouds which created beautiful orange, red and purple colors. The lake was so calm that you could see the clouds reflecting down onto the glassy water.

Not only was the beauty astounding, but the moment was wonderful. We had my brother and future sisterin- law’s puppy, Benelli, on the pontoon as well as my aunt and uncle’s lab Violet. The dogs paced up and down the boat as they looked out over the water. Violet eventually laid down and fell asleep on my mom’s lap but Benelli, being only four months old and taking her first boat ride, was as curious as could be.

There were very few boats out on the water which was surprising being that it was a holiday weekend. The seven of us on the boat bundled up with blankets as the air from the lake started to cool off. It was a moment where none of the other stressors that life put in our way mattered. Money, work, school, wedding planning, etc. weren’t on the mind during that boat ride.

I’m not sure why the ride hit me more than previous rides as I’ve taken dozens of sunset rides with that same pontoon on that same lake. But I’m glad I got a picture of the aura because it’ll be nice to think back to a simpler moment when the time calls for it.

SPEEDING

THROUGH

L

IFE

NEAL H OGDEN EDITOR