The sound of the water as it splashed against the dock. Motor boats humming as they idled up the cove. My wakeboard cut through the glassy water like butter. A slight tingle on my nose and cheeks from the sun. Contentment for me is time spent with family at Smith Mountain Lake. Time at the lake has always been special to me. I feel at peace there because of the simplicity, experience with nature, and the love of my family.
Awakening to the smell of sizzling bacon as I stretched out across my bunk bed, put a smile on my face. This was day one of Maw-Maw camp. Maw-Maw camp was an annual tradition for my brother, cousin and I. Each summer, we spent a week with our grandparents at their cabin on Smith Mountain Lake. The day always began with …show more content…
Floats, coolers, towels, and fishing rods bumped along with us as we rounded the lane. Once at the dock, I fished for bass and carp using balled up bread for bait. Gazing through the binoculars, I found egrets, geese, and deer. We picnicked on the dock and if we could talk Maw-Maw into it, we would take the paddle boat to the marina across the cove for lunch.
The dictionary defines contentment as a state of peaceful happiness or satisfaction. At the lake, I am perfectly content to sit on the dock and enjoy the company of family. We tell stories of summers past or go for a cruise on the boat. I am content to roast marshmallows over the fire under the stars. I lay on my back on a blanket and stare into space. The sky feels bigger here and the stars are brighter. As I reflect back over the week, a sense of peace comes over me. I am happy. Does the week have to end? “Please let us stay another week Mom!”
The past two summers brought changes at the lake cabin. Both grandparents became ill and passed away this fall. I am unsure of the emotions I will experience next summer, but I feel certain that contentment will remain. The presence of my grandparents, the love and the memories we shared at the lake cabin will always hold a special place in my heart. For that reason, I will forever be perfectly content at the
Awakening to the smell of sizzling bacon as I stretched out across my bunk bed, put a smile on my face. This was day one of Maw-Maw camp. Maw-Maw camp was an annual tradition for my brother, cousin and I. Each summer, we spent a week with our grandparents at their cabin on Smith Mountain Lake. The day always began with …show more content…
Floats, coolers, towels, and fishing rods bumped along with us as we rounded the lane. Once at the dock, I fished for bass and carp using balled up bread for bait. Gazing through the binoculars, I found egrets, geese, and deer. We picnicked on the dock and if we could talk Maw-Maw into it, we would take the paddle boat to the marina across the cove for lunch.
The dictionary defines contentment as a state of peaceful happiness or satisfaction. At the lake, I am perfectly content to sit on the dock and enjoy the company of family. We tell stories of summers past or go for a cruise on the boat. I am content to roast marshmallows over the fire under the stars. I lay on my back on a blanket and stare into space. The sky feels bigger here and the stars are brighter. As I reflect back over the week, a sense of peace comes over me. I am happy. Does the week have to end? “Please let us stay another week Mom!”
The past two summers brought changes at the lake cabin. Both grandparents became ill and passed away this fall. I am unsure of the emotions I will experience next summer, but I feel certain that contentment will remain. The presence of my grandparents, the love and the memories we shared at the lake cabin will always hold a special place in my heart. For that reason, I will forever be perfectly content at the