- Panorama of the river
"No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man.”
- Heraclitus and the quote source
- Waterdrops on clover in the early morning
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Life is like a river, hope you have a GPS or a motor!
At the beginning of my relationship, I spent many nights and days there. Camping, fishing, making fires, walks, and plenty more. I have grown as a person on this property and have gone through a lot of ups and downs there. The piece of property is around 100 acres and several acres border this river. Just like the water of the river, time flows as well. Unknown moments around bends in the river, other times you can see for miles ahead at what is coming. There are times it can be tempestuous with raging rapids, other moments the water can be as serene and still as the morning dew on the clover in the spring.
- Late night fire, no worries of burning down the forest. There was water right there!
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Spring-time thoughts
I remember a time when spring first started there several years ago. The trees were pulling themselves out of their winter nakedness. I was exploring, looking over every bit of the land. The grass was aged, cushy beneath my feet from the dozens of years those fields were there. I had recently started learning to photograph things, I wasn’t much of a photographer then. I still am learning even now! Seeing such a wide open land waking up, and knowing it was our private land, was exhilarating. But the river itself was captivating. The bend of the river at the front corner of the property made it seem so wide and expansive. Climbing down that hill and sitting on the river rocks left me breathless. Metaphorically and literally! Those rocks that protruded from the bottom of the hill and joined hands with the deceptively slow-looking water were where we spent many nights together. We made fires, took photos, and talked about life.
- Pink Camellia bush in bloom. Sadly the plant was removed!
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Relationships are hard
This life that we live together has its hard times. We’re in one now. My partner is going through a lot of mental health issues at the moment. But when I married them, it was for better or worse, sickness and in health. We are in the sickness phase, I’m okay with that. I wouldn’t exchange them for anything, not even a billion dollars. They would say I’m stupid for that, haha. If I am anything, I’m at least loyal. The reason I bring that up is that the river rocks which we had fun times with. The hills above have many negative emotions tied to them. And a special place can mean for me, a place to which your soul is tied. That includes both the positive and the negative aspects.
- One of the many giant oaks on the property.
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Forest of solitude
Through the negatives, the land was a place of solitude and oneness with nature. The birds, insects, fish, and frogs were my companions through some dark times. The trees were my friends, as they breathed life into me through their exhalation of oxygen. I felt grounded as I stood upon the Earth. It all was one, mother nature. A cycle in which all living things participate. Even though I was alone, I was never truly alone. With nature as my companion, mother, and friend.
- Vibrant pink Azalea bush in bloom
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I have no regrets
Back then, I didn’t see my life going the way it is now. I’m happy for it, though. I’m glad I’m in the same relationship I was in 5 years ago, and I’m overjoyed that I get to still visit that land. Life is strange, but the river is no stranger to me. Over time, life will become as familiar to me as the landscape in which I spent those 5 years. Looking back, those times were rough and unforgiving. But I had a lot of space to grow. I’m still growing both with trees of the land as well as with the love of my life. And now with you, my fellow reader.
- Beautiful sunset at the river. They are always this gorgeous!
“If there is no struggle, there is no progress.”
- Frederick Douglass and quote source
As always, thanks for listening to my story and me rambling about stuff. I always appreciate every interaction, no matter how small it may be. I love the Hive community and all of you who put effort into making it a good place to be in. Thanks so much!
