When I was young, my parents had my sister and me out on our boat in Long Island Sound every weekend, or so it seemed. We grew up with a healthy respect for the water. It seemed dad and mom had us wearing our gigantic, puffy, kapok-filled life jackets longer than any other kids around. We took swimming lessons for years--way longer than was necessary, or so my parents knew we thought because we said so. Being in and around water in all kinds of weather taught us the power of nature. (Water taught us that indifference can be a form of cruelty.) So many memories of growing up around water came to mind when I came across the leaf in the top photo when I was out for a walk on Saturday. It seemed caught between rising to the surface to catch a breeze back onto dry land and never again moving. The whole business of being a leaf in the water had been arrested by the water itself. There was the leaf, powerless, and the water, powerful. I caught my breath and held it for as long as I stood there. I have been that leaf.
My World Tuesday
50 Comments
A very moving post, Sandy! And I do so relate, I, too, have been that leaf! But we did survive.
ReplyDeleteHave a good day!
Sylvia
Survival of the toughest leaf. I hate it when the water thickens. Yes, I am a tough ole leaf too.
ReplyDeleteThat second shot looks like an alligator frozen in water.
powerful idea, haven't we all felt like that leaf...controlled by fate or others BUT we have a resource more powerful to aid us-our FAITH in a greater power and our own ability to SURVIVE!
ReplyDeleteWe have all been that leaf Sandy. Whether we realize it or not, admit it or not.
ReplyDeleteSome of us still are.
Beautiful,Lovely and fantastic shot !! A nice series !!Unseen Rajasthan
ReplyDeletethat is a touching reflection..
ReplyDeleteamazing shot..
Wise post, Sandy.
ReplyDeleteYes, I too have been that leaf.
Aloha, Friend!
Comfort Spiral
Your words gave me great thoughts, indeed water is so powerful. I also came across some photos in recent Jeddah's calamity. water washed out the city and people even cars were so weak to resist.
ReplyDeleteGreat posting, nice story and lovely pictures.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting memories and beautiful snaps.
ReplyDeleteDid you have the urge to tap the ice and set the leaf free?
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like your parents gave you wonderful memories! I love the leaf caught in the ice! Ice also intrigues me and scares me a little too.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots Sandy and your words are also wonderful. You expressed these memories so well and creatively.
ReplyDeleteLovely capture of the leaf in the ice, Sandy. I'm not sure you can have swimming lessons for 'too long'. It's such an important skill - my boys started at 4 and the 16 year old only just stopped when he qualified as a life guard two months ago! I've never been that leaf trapped in the water, but frozen between inaction, fear and knowing what I really ought to do - yes, I have been that sort of frozen leaf!
ReplyDeleteJanice.
Great post, Sandy. I have a feeling many of us can relate to the feeling but I, for one, could not have expressed it so well.
ReplyDeleteSandy: Everyone should be respectful of the power of water. My grandkids wear life jackets as soon as they are near the lake.
ReplyDeleteYes.... that was very touching and I loved the photos too.
ReplyDeleteNuts in May
That leaf is spooky. Water must be respected.
ReplyDeleteNicholas
Love your artistic eye :)
ReplyDeleteLove the frozen leaf, Sandy! But what's in the second photo? Looks like the back of an alligator, which I know it's not... Ha! :)
ReplyDeletewe have been the leaf at one point or another. great post.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post and I love your pictures
ReplyDeleteSandy, What a moving post - we have all felt that "frozen" moment. I'd love to know what the pale red reflection is in the second photo. I so enjoyed seeing your world this week!
ReplyDeleteQuite a reflective post. Water is more powerful than we often realize. A couple of weeks ago, heavy rains caused severe flooding leaving over 100 dead in its wake here in Jeddah. I posted some photos here:
ReplyDeletehttp://susiesbigadventure.blogspot.com/2009/11/when-it-rains-it-pours.html
Yes, water is powerful and what a great post.
ReplyDeleteWow it really looked so cold over at your part of the world. I could have been frozen.
ReplyDeleteI have a fear of water...
ReplyDeleteI can feel the depth of your feelings. These photos are wonderful.
ReplyDeletegreat memories. I too love water and have a healthy respect for it
ReplyDeleteInteresting Sandy. My parents took the opposite approach in inland Ohio. Stay away from rivers and lakes and ponds you might drown. I'm 65 years old and still don't know how to swim but I made sure my two daughters did learn.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting allegory of the leaf to your life. Great powerful illustration in words about the water.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Very interesting.
ReplyDeleteSydney - City and Suburbs
When I was young, my parents had my sister and me out on our boat in Long Island Sound every weekend, >> reminds me of my childhood days too in our province. now those memories i miss.
ReplyDeleteWonderful shot, iced and preserved forever by your camera. I invite you to come see my snowy airport. - Margy
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful reflection for yourself and something for the rest of us to think about...when have I been that leaf? I've never had a near drowning experience, although I have been tossed around in the ocean a few times, not knowing for a few seconds which way is up...maybe that's it for me...that's what comes to the top of my mind for now. Wonderful post!
ReplyDeleteI almost drown once and I almost drown my toddler son. The memory of him struggling in the water still haunts me. Scary.
ReplyDeleteI'm feeling like the leaf right now, struggling and fighting against some forces. I'm a survivor.
Great photos and poignant words to go with them.
ReplyDeleteI liked the first photo. But liked most the message within and the words you weaved.
ReplyDeleteThe photo and your words blew me away today.
ReplyDeleteI too am that leaf right here, right now.
Your picture and writing are very beautiful. Think more positive, the powerful water will can take the powerless leave to so many new places and experience so many different environments, otherwise, it will just simply rotten under other falling leaves.
ReplyDeleteWater is powerful just look at the Grand Canyon. Yet the sun pretty much bends water to "its" will. So there is one that has all power and that is a good thing.
ReplyDelete"Water taught us that indifference can be a form of cruelty." what great words!
ReplyDeleteOh Sandy .. both the words and pix are perfect!
ReplyDeleteThe kapok came from Borneo? My mum used to make mattresses from them. Now it is fashionable . So your flotation device/life jacket will be fashionable too?
ReplyDeleteJust like that leaf Sandy, we are all tossed by the tides of fate, helpless yet struggling for the shore...
ReplyDeleteSuch beauty you describe, even in the darkness. I'm reminded for some reason of Blake, not sure in what exact way, but there it is... I'm taking a break from blogging for a while, and won't be posting,but will continue to drop by when I can. You always challenge and inspire!
ReplyDeleteI've been that leaf too-and I'm glad I made it back to the top to live again. I'm glad you did too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a touching post.. and beautiful pics. A perfect marriage.
ReplyDeleteFrozen leaves are in abundance this week in blogville, I posted one on Tuesday. I love the shape of this one, very nice. I think maybe at some point in my life I have also been the leaf.
ReplyDeleteremimds of where I lived near sandy Hookwe seem live in a parrrellel thought s I am paintimg a sea sacien W
ReplyDeleteThanks for being here.