Island Get away

In the second week of September I escaped to an island for two whole nights.  Not a tropical island but a northern Michigan island filled with trails, woods and empty beaches.  Tourist season was over, a perfectly timed escape.  Two dear friends and I boarded the Emerald Isle car ferry from Charlevoix and headed northwest to Beaver Island.  Lake Michigan was wild that day and the boat rolled over 5 foot waves causing me to widen my stance while standing at the front deck to keep from falling.  I felt filled with joy and adventure - a much needed break from work and busy schedule at home.  Something about traveling by boat made this trip seem exotic and much farther away from home than I actually was.  Arriving at the island transported me back in time.  A few scattered people stood at the dock waving a friendly greeting.  We shuffled to get our gear and bikes as our hostess was there to greet us and drive our luggage up to our destination - The Brother's Place a rustic north woods lodge formerly operated as a retreat house by the Christian Brothers religious order.   I have always wanted to be a nun at Nonnatus house from Call the Midwife and settling into my little cell (room) I felt like a novice entering the womb of a warm convent.  Each room was uniquely decorated with a theme; nautical, poet's, yellow flowers.... I chose the Mother and Child room filled with sweet icons from many decades of the holy mother and child.  My breath slowed....my breath deepened.   I settled in.  My days were filled with solitude, walking trails, bike riding, sharing meals with my friends, jumping in the cool sparkling water, and hiking to catch sunrise and sunsets, both visible from the island.   I found it delightful that our rental car was parked in town in front of the grocery store with the keys in it.  No need to lock doors around the island. Town was walking distance away and I found the quaint Catholic church open day and night.  I would visit before dawn in the quiet and light a candle for those I love and pray in the dusky light.   The gift of the trip was that I entered into a different time, a slower rhythm.  Island life helped to bring my rushed spirit to a halt.  On the day I was to leave, I felt a sadness within me.  Riding the ferry back to the mainland I waved goodbye to my island retreat and let a tear fall to consecrate and honor my remorse at returning to my life, a life I do truly love.  My quest is to bring some of the pace of island life into my life at home.  Today I sat on my deck and enjoyed a cup of coffee while listening to the rain.  I thought to myself.... I can have my island state of mind right here on my own deck.  I can carve out peace wherever I am.  May it be so.