Sit and remember
Memories are powerful. You could even say they are like a superpower (Meik Wiking in the Art of Making Memories goes so far as to say so). I tend to agree. If you take the time to focus, to nurture a happy memory, it can transport you back to the specific moment. The feeling of the moment returns. Puts a smile on your face.
I am fascinated by the things that can trigger a memory. A smell triggering a fond childhood memory. A taste. The call of the loon reminding me of the cottage. A song making me want to dance like I’m in my 20s.
Returning to a meaningful location can have that effect too. A bench with a favoured view for example.
My mom and I were on the look out for such a spot one glorious June day. Sun shining. Intensely blue sky. A meandering path hugging the shoreline of Lake Ontario. We were walking along the newly completed Burloak Waterfront trail. Sharing family memories as we walked. The inviting pathway has many unique access points to the turquoise water below.
Secluded coves. Pebbly beaches perfect for skipping rocks. Shaded gazebos. A lookout shaped like the bow of a boat.
And plenty of places to sit and enjoy the view.
We easily found the bench we were looking for. A friend of my mom dedicated a bench to her mother who recently passed away. Marion Gastle MacNab. After reading the thoughtful inscription, I felt I got to know a little bit about this woman despite having never met her. I later learned from her daughter (my mom’s friend) it was carefully crafted so people could get to know her as a person.
A gifted pie maker. A talented seamstress. A gardener with a special touch to keep cyclamen blooming. A fun friend to play cards with. A chorister who loved to sing a special wartime tune. A Registered Nurse trained during the war years.
Her daughter also chose the location with care. Marion lived for many years in a nearby retirement residence. Sit on the bench and you have her favourite view. Sunrises, swans gliding by, storms rolling across the water. The location on the north side of the path was also deliberate so passersby could see the inscription. For people like me we get a tiny window into her life. A glimpse at the qualities admired by friends and family.
For her daughter, the bench is about memories. She can walk to her mother’s bench, sit, look out at the water and think about her mom. A time of reflection. A time to remember.
The path that weaves along the curving shoreline is full of interesting look out points. It’s also brimming with memories. Benches to sit and remember.
A flaky apple pie. Eight beautifully smocked dresses. A meaningful song.
A favourite view.
8 Comments
Carol Sanders
Great photos of fabulous beach that the whole world seemed to have discovered-
Nice memories for a daughter to have
Andrea_bruce
Thanks Carol. It is a lovely spot indeed!
DIANE LAGALISSE
How blessed we are to live amid such beautiful surroundings. We have been fortunate to travel through a great deal of Canada in our lifetime. The memories of our travels always brings a smile to my face and warms my heart. Memories to last a lifetime.
Andrea_bruce
Thanks Diane. I feel lucky to have such beautiful places nearby to take a walk. It is nice that you have so many memories of your travels in our beautiful country.
Linda
Andrea! You have written this note beautifully and have captured the essence of this lovely lady perfectly. Good stories and enduring memories keep our loved ones close. Thank you so much.
Linda xo
Andrea_bruce
Thanks Linda! I am so glad you like the post. Your mom sounds like a wonderful woman. Thank you for sharing her story with me.
Heather Hudson Macintosh
I am a friend of Marion’s daughter, Laurie, plus my dear aunt and uncle, the Gentle’s, lived right next door to Marion on Burloak! How we all loved to walk along the path by the lake….so beautiful. My aunt, uncle and Marion have all passed on now, but knowing this special bench is there will encourage us to return to the lake, to walk and then sit in Marion’s special spot!
Andrea_bruce
Hi Heather! It’s so nice to hear about other friends and family that will sit at this special bench and remember their loved ones. A spot to remember your Aunt and Uncle and their friendship with Marion. Thank you for sharing your memories.