“One’s destination is never a place, but a new
way of seeing things.” – Henry
Miller
Over two weeks ago, I found amongst my daughter’s papers,
the original itinerary for a camping place that Shayla and I had went to in
2006-The Cedars RV Resort. My
thoughts immediately drifted back to a time where we had shared in adventures
while visiting the United States. We
planned a mother and daughter trip to discover parts of northern Washington and
ended up having one of the most unforgettable jaunts over the border at The Cedars RV Resort. Throughout the
course of our camping, we met an American baseball team. Later that weekend,
everyone indulged in karaoke, dancing and shared stories of their lives. One of
the guys from the team shared with me the following song:
Reflecting back on the moment where I sat and let the words of the song inhabit my thoughts, the irony of the lyrics conjured up tears of my loss.
After
discovering the information for the resort, I decided to reserve 5 days in
Ferndale, WA. My most recent travels would see me return to a place where familiarity
was something I sought.
 |
| Fortune Cookie Message I received in Ferndale, WA |
Ferndale, WA, USA
The wait
times always depends on which border you decide to enter. Thankfully, the trip
into the USA was quick and soon I was at the office checking-in. My decision to
camp in the same location that I did years earlier with Shayla, was an
intentional one. It was a feeling of comfort to be in a place which held
memorable times that I had shared with my daughter. I had come back for various
reasons, but mainly for the meteor showers that were going to be on display on
August 12. This day marked one year and eight months since the death of my only
child. It was my hope to be able to look up and see her star illuminating the
heavens.
Before I
left, my 4 and half year old niece Parker had visited me. I took her and Poppa as she calls her Grandpa to Redwood Park and Crescent Beach, near White Rock, BC.
Two special places which Shayla loved to go to. Parker knew I was going camping and when she left, I packed my stuff up. My one bag had once belonged to my daughter and as I went to zip it up, I saw that my niece had given me her little smurf figurine for company. This sweet gesture, made me melt and I decided to take it with me for the whole trip.
Two special places which Shayla loved to go to. Parker knew I was going camping and when she left, I packed my stuff up. My one bag had once belonged to my daughter and as I went to zip it up, I saw that my niece had given me her little smurf figurine for company. This sweet gesture, made me melt and I decided to take it with me for the whole trip.
During my
stay, I decided to explore places I had never been too. My intention was to release several pebbles
for Shayla and honour her all over the area; including at The Cedars RV Resort.
I had
several maps and went on Google for certain places, yet it is as if my road
trip had already been determined and I found myself on several back roads in
the countryside.
As the tall stalks of
corn greeted me as I drove, I gazed through my windshield to a sky of blue
hues. I was missing my Nabob coffee from home, when suddenly I saw a drive-thru
stand. Mount's Espresso is located at 2318 Slater Rd, Ferndale, WA 98248 and can
be found on Facebook.
Before
placing my order, the girl working looked at my directions for Tennant Lake and
Fragrance Garden. She was helpful and after I ordered my coffee, I thanked her.
The road I was on ended up taking me to the sprawling 1,500-acres of Lake
Terrell. I walked around, until I found a fisherman, who was perplexed as to
where Tennant Lake was. After strolling amongst the marshes, I found a place to
drop a ‘pebble’. On my way back and giving up on finding the other Lake, I
stopped at Mount’s Espresso, once again. I gave the girl working, the
information on The Heart Pebble Movement. I
asked her name and as she extended her hand, she replied:”My name is Tanya-
pronounced Tonya, just like my name!” I smiled and was on my way again.
A short
distance later, I saw a turn-off and parked. I wanted to place another pebble
in Nooksack River. I walked past cornfields, before I realized I was lost. Back
tracking, I made my way to the river and tossed a pebble from ShaeHarmony with the word LOVE written
on it.
Over the
next few days, I would embark on travels of unknown destinations. Sometimes, it
was to pass along the movement and encourage others to participate. This was
the case when I was served by a lovely girl named Talysa from The Woods Coffee. I told her about
Shayla and her passion for rock collecting. She was joyful as she told me she
was a new parent. I left with my order of a Cedar Avalanche coffee, almond
poppy seed muffin and a sense of connection…from one mother to another.
A wrong turn
found me at Frontier
Ranch Thrift Store located at 1214 W. Axton
Rd. Ferndale, WA.
I liked the statement
on the flyer I received: Frontier Ranch
Thrift Store supports camps for less fortunate kids.
As I a
mother, I raised my daughter to involve herself into community, volunteering
and charity. This organization was something I knew needed my business. I
filled a bag full of clothes and a pair of shoes, and went to pay my five
dollars. The man at the counter told me more about how Frontier Ranch supports summer camps for kids who would not be able
to afford to attend. Their motto: Frontier Ranch~
Changing our world…One kid at a time.
On my last night at the resort, I went to a specific location near Bellingham to star gaze. I am unsure of the name
where I hiked fifteen or more minute’s straight- up a mountainside.
Once I reached the destination, I could finally
look. The emulation of lights, dancing upon the carved out bowl of the city,
made me exhale in its radiance. I was stunned by its simplicity and beauty
which went as far as the eye could see. I was delighted when I spotted the
familiar luminous of Grouse Mountain’s lights in Canada. Gradually, I let myself
turn in a 360° panoramic view of the area. I held in my hand
a pebble and a plastic butterfly, which I knew would be getting lofted into the
surrounding forest of magnificent trees. I was overwhelmed and for a moment
realized I was holding my breath. Laying down on the cool, slab of rock underneath my feet, opened up my eyes to the night sky above me. As my eyes were absorbing in the blackness of a warm summer’s evening, I observed
my first shooting star. Nothing could prepare me as a sky gazer for the
annual Perseid meteors. The heavens seemed to explode all around me as the
Earth's orbit went through a stream of dusty comet fragments. I wanted to dance
in celebration as the meteor showers displayed nature’s fireworks.
Here I was
on the 12th…a day usually filled with anxiety… now replaced with a
sense of bravery for embarking on an unfamiliar journey. The pay off was when I
saw a trail of blues, greens and hues of shimmering light in a massive flash in
the sky. Afterwards, I tossed the pebble for
Shayla and the butterfly was set flight when I threw it into the woods. I grinned,
knowing that my babygirl would love this extraordinary spot.
With my
window rolled down, and Jason Aldean playing in my vehicle, I drove back home with
a sense of accomplishment.
Throughout
my travels, I embraced the mystery of the unknown, which made it possible for
me to share in a variety of experiences. Along with the adventures, I felt it was my
daughter’s way of telling me that wherever I go, she will continue to watch
over her momma.
By T.L. Alton
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please feel free to post a comment. Remember after you have written something, please click on the options given, press continue and then click on PUBLISH. Thank You :)