Rest

Is it possible?

Hello Dear Readers,

A hat rests on the bannister - -

an invitation bathed in light and mystery.

End of day. Time to rest…

But can I? Do I even know how?

Though surrounded by family and familiar ocean smells, I see nothing but light in a different place, no longer ours, where just last week we said goodbye..¹

…to the afternoon light and the books still decomposing in the garden…

…to the first apples and pears of the season, but our last…

…to my final compost composition…

…and to this place that offered safety and invited us to become who we continue to become.

The dogs lay beside me, the tide comes in and the sun shines on breaking waves.

…and the hat on the bannister beckons…not to take another walk on the beach, but to rest, to let the light come and go and the tide rise and fall as I attempt to recover from all these goodbyes.

Grief overcame me earlier today when our house officially closed. There is sadness and gratitude. There is restlessness and peace. And I know I need to rest and reconcile these dichotomies.²

But is it possible?

It is clear I have been taking a break from 13 Tons of Love. The last month was so busy, I didn’t have a moment to stop, think and reflect.

And now I just feel muddled.

So I think it’s time I take an official break.

Wish me well.

I’ll let you know if it’s possible for me to truly rest…or not.³

So I will see you again in September to celebrate the one year anniversary of my launching 13 Tons of Love. I’m sure there will be lots to discuss.

Until then, please take care. As always, I am grateful for you sharing your time and this place with me.

With cheers and gratitude,

Lyn

1. If you are new to 13 Tons of Love you may not be aware that my has been in the process of moving from the home and garden we cared for for 21 years. We moved our stuff out last week and came to a family house in Maine. But we officially transferred title earlier today. It’s been quite a process.

2. And of course compost is my metaphor. I know that just as compost needs time to lay fallow for a while, so too do we. It’s why we sleep. But sometimes we need more than a good nights sleep. Needless to say, I’m having my compost moment, what I called ‘quiet time’ when I first started composting in 2009…And like compost, with all its glorious stages of rest, transformation and rejuvenation, I, too, will feel different after laying fallow for a bit…but can I?

3. There are many definitions of the word rest. Here is what I found online. Perhaps I’ll have more to say about these various states of rest after I’ve practiced it a bit. I’ll let you know in September!

Rest (First appears on google - Oxford Languages)

Verb - To Rest:

1. cease work or movement in order to relax, refresh oneself, or recover strength.

2. be placed or supported so as to stay in a specified position.

Noun- A Rest:

1. an instance or period of relaxing or ceasing to engage in strenuous or stressful activity.

2. Music: an interval of silence of a specified duration.

Miriam Webster: Multiple definitions: (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rest)

1. a bodily state characterized by minimal functional and metabolic activities

2a. freedom from activity or labor

2b. a state of motionlessness or inactivity

2c. the repose of death

3. a place for resting or lodging

4.peace of mind or spirit

5a(1).a rhythmic silence in music

5a(2).a character representing such a silence

5b.a brief pause in reading

6.something used for support