Friday, October 24, 2008

Finding My Spot -- Robin

I have a “spot,” and I’ve spoken about this spot before. It's where I go to clear my head and think and get inspiration. It’s a trail that runs along a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. I run for about twenty minutes, then take a smaller, more narrow side trail that leads out to a cliff that’s about twenty feet above a rocky, jagged part of the coastline. And that’s where I sit, and I ask questions, and sometimes I get answers. Sometimes I cry, and sometimes I don’t. But no matter what happens, I always feel better afterwards…like I’ve spent time talking with a close friend and I have a better handle on life. Does anyone else have a spot like this?

Today when I was at my spot, I cried. But it was a good kind of cry, because I was watching a flock of seagulls fly by me in a neat, single-file line, and as I watched them fly off, a small sailboat came into view, all at the exact moment the sun was setting over the ocean. It was a moment that took my breath away, and I realized…I freakin’ love where I live!!!

I love that I live in a place where we can take my six-year-old son kayaking and shark fishing and hiking and surfing and bird watching, all within a few minutes of our house. I love that my little boy knows when the tide is in and when it’s out, and that he loves walking through eucalyptus groves. And I love that I have a special spot where I can get away and feel connected with my surroundings. And that my environment can inspire me and lift me up, just like a friend.

I think when I was younger I paid more attention to people, not surroundings. I was more concerned with the people I liked and the people I didn’t like and the people I was jealous of and the people who annoyed me. But now that I’m a teensy bit older, and hopefully a teensy bit wiser, I’ve simplified things. I surround myself with the people I love and the ones who love me…no more, no less. And then I just enjoy my surroundings. So now, (and don’t worry, I realize how cheesy this sounds) I’ve learned how to love our Earth just as much as the people who inhabit it.

So what does this all mean? I don’t know. I kinda feel like Stan at the end of a South Park episode: “I’ve really learned something today!” That I need to teach my child that the environment is important. That it’s true he needs to be friends with lots of kids (and lots of different types of kids), but he also needs to be friends with his surroundings. And that nature can fill a need, just like people can.

So, here we are, forcing our son to be friends with his surroundings. And I have a feeling he doesn’t mind it one bit…





- Robin

16 comments:

Suzanne Young said...

Oh my. I am in love with this post! I'm having a serious Awww.... Moment!

I understand what you mean about sharing nature and parenthood. That's why we moved to Oregon!

I think one of the good things about being an adult vs. being a teen is that now we get to choose our friends. It's not just who we sit next to in homeroom. lol.

And, those pictures are beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Katie Anderson said...

Wow Robin. what an amazing post. It really spoke to me.

And your pictures.... WOW! AWESOME!

Thanks for sharing :)

Anonymous said...

First and foremost, those photos are phenomenal. (Yes, alliteration. But still true.)

I love places like that, too. I don't have one particularly nearby, however. There's the shore (over an hour away) and my aunt's condo in New Hampshire (far, far away). And a camp I worked at years ago in upstate Pennsylvania. But those spaces are magical.

Anonymous said...

Robin - a wonderful post and amazing photos. They should be the photos in the frames you buy. I've been a nature lover my whole life - the sounds and smells connect me to childhood memories. I love going for a walk and trying to count the number of different birds I hear. Keeps me totally present. Hope to see you soon!
Angela Russell

Jen Robinson said...

I love this post, too, Robin. And those photos! Especially that last one - that is one to keep forever.

Candace said...

Those photos are gorgeous! What a place to live!

Amanda Morgan said...

Wow, what a post! :) And the pictures are beautiful. I grew up on a beach like that....

Christy Raedeke said...

Amazing post and amazing photos - you put me in a lets-get-out-there mood for the weekend! Thanks. :)

Katie Anderson said...

I had to come back to look at these beautiful photos again. My fave is him skipping through the forest. I mean that is doggone adorable!!

And doesn't his shadow on the beach look like some kind of fun crab?!

Anywho - Jayson SHOULD BE FAMOUS!!! Get that boy an agent! I would buy a coffee table book of his photos - seriously, I would.

Disco Mermaids said...

Awww, you guys are so sweet. I am very fortunate that my husband is a nature lover AND a total kickin' photographer. You should see some of or baby pictures. Amazing!

One of these days I'll force him to get on the other side of the camera so I can take a picture of HIM!

-Robin

CJ Omololu said...

I've had the pleasure of meeting your lovely photog hubby and the gorgeous boy and I believe I've even been to the thinking spot and they are all as fabbo as they look. In fact I was talking to Agent E. about how great your little corner of the world is just this morning. Yes, I'm jealous of where you live, but you deserve it.

Hardygirl said...

Ahhh. Bliss. Just reading this post eased my soul . .

Kristyn said...

Robin, this post was wonderful!

Erik said...

So I have to admit that I usually just come here to read about Jay and follow up with him (since he's a longtime friend), and when it's Robin or Eve's post I move along. Totally self centered and unfair, I know I'm a terrible person.

...but (you knew there was going to be a "but" right?)....WOW Robin. Great post, AMAZING photographs. Both you and your husband are very talented.

Thanks for giving me pause today to remember how lucky we are to live here. Cheers,

Erik

Disco Mermaids said...

Aw, thanks, Erik! Any friend of Jay's is a friend of mine. Unless you're weird or something. (ha!)

Keep checking me and Eve out! (I mean that in a literary sense.) We might just keep surprising you.

-Robin

revbud said...

You swept me away with the gulls and then I just kept flying over the coast for the rest of you post. Proud as heck to be one of the ones who loves you.