Thursday, June 5, 2008

Wishing Island *With Video*

We have this island, Millie and I. I call it Wishing Island, because when we first got here the water was so deep and quick that I found myself standing on the river bed gazing over to the water-bound land, saying, "I wish we could get over there...."

Soon the water slowed enough to splash across quickly and easily, so Wishing Island became ours.

I think everyone, at some point, needs their own Wishing Island. On such an isolated place, you're allowed to think only your best, contented thoughts. You're permitted to lose chunks of minutes... hours, even... to dreams and hopes. And you're given a chance to speak your deepest pain... your foremost hurts... into the depths of open water and watch the river carry them away.

You're left then, alone on your little island, with your wishes.

But they grow so big, as wishes often do, that at some point there's no room for both of you on the little island. So you splash back to your life, where you can look at your wishes from a different shore before turning them Godward....

I never had a Wishing Island before. Everyone needs one, I think. So come, I'll share mine. Be sure to turn up the sound so you can hear the river...



21 comments:

Brambleberry said...

Lovely. So lovely.

Anonymous said...

Brin,
I think I speak for many of us here...at different ages and stages of our lives. Thank you for sharing your journey...for opening your heart... It reminds us of our own journeys...where we have come from, the battles that have been fought, the joys that have sustained us, of an amazing God that simply loves our socks off and that there is so much more to come.
You are in my prayers....keep pointing the way...
Hugs,
Debbie

Anonymous said...

beautiful photos, and beautiful thoughts. Thanks for the thought-provoking post, Brin.

Blessings,
mickey

Diary From Africa said...

Brin, you write so beautifully & so eloquently & my wish for you is that you find everything you're looking for ... & peace, love and joy because goodness knows you deserve it after everything you've been through.

Thank you for being such a lovely person, and for sharing all you do with your readers !

(& special pats to the gorgeous Millie !)

Lynda (Kilimanjaro, East Africa)

Louise said...

On the farm I had an island ( sort of) .. most islands are surrounded by water but mine was a small bluff of willows surrounded by soil. It was a teardrop shape so I named it TearDrop Island and that is where I would trek to when either the children were getting on my nerves OR my hubby was. I'd go for a walk and I always ended up on TearDrop Island... When I left the island I would leave my bad feelings behind.
Louise in Alberta who misses her farm.

Betty said...

Everybody needs to have a place to 'get away to' alone, to pour out our thoughts to God. Your 'wishing island' is such a place.

Jen said...

Brin,
Have you ever read "The Girl of the Limberlost" by Gene Stratton Porter? I think it would be perfect to read in a cabin in the woods. If you run out of books, let me know and I'll send you a copy. (my email is on my blog)

Harbor Hon said...

Lovely wishing island. Throw a penny across the water onto it and make a wish that everyone in the world would find and love our awesome God! xxoo

Kristie @ Comfy Cozy said...

Wow! Thanks for sharing! The video made it seem so close...so real to a friend in cyber space! Everybody needs a little time in a private place to reflect and renew...sounds like you found yours.

Millie is darling...and she's growing very fast!

Anonymous said...

Brin,

Thanks for sharing your wonderful adventure with those of us who can only dream of such things. It was so nice to hear your voice and yes..Millie is growing so fast.
I hope you find what you are looking for.

Lori

Unknown said...

I love the water, especially flowing water.
You should come to Alaska sometime. We have water of all kinds everywhere up here.
We have a creek that flows through our property, and we will be adding cabins along it for our B&B in a couple of years.
Thank you for sharing.
Paula

Sissy said...

The video is cute and it is strange to hear your voice, rather than the one I imagine when I read your posts. Millie is adorable! I bet she has loved exploring all this space with you.

Unknown said...

Brin, it was so good to hear your voice, makes all the words you ever wrote that more real! I second what Debbie said, thank you for including us on this journey! I can tell Millie has helped you get your groove back, it shows in your writings, so happy to have you back! Enjoy each day in paradise! Hugs!!

Susan said...

Eek I watched the video ! says one (paranoid) dog mama to another dog mama " please be careful that she doesn't get too near the raging river and accidentally swept away" I'd be a total wreck living there !

Amy said...

Wow! What an absolutely inspiring place. How wonderful to be alone with God and His creation. To just be – what a priceless gift that would be. I wish I could use words as eloquently as you do to describe the joy and peace your blog brings to my life. You will probably never know on this side of heaven the lives you have touched. The Lord has given you a gift and even though I am not sure of the extent of the pain you have experience in your life – I do know that He has used it to bring something beautiful to many people, including myself. Thank you for sharing your days, your nights, your trips and your endeavors with a 30 something year old mom from St. Louis.

linda t said...

Aaaahhh... I can somehow feel and smell the fresh air... and the sights and sounds are reconnecting me to that which I long for.
Thank you for sharing with us Brin.
You made my day!

Anonymous said...

Good Morning Brin!

It's so wonderful to hear your beautiful voice and that Millie, she's growing by leaps and bounds. I love the sound of the running water, it's such a peaceful sound isn't it? I have enjoyed seeing your adventure, thank you for sharing and taking us along! Have a wonderful weekend!

Hugs,
MN Kathi :)

kali said...

I am wishing for a wishing island!
Millie is growing so quickly!
Have a wonderful time in Colorado!!
(can't wait to see the quilt!)
kali

Cheryl said...

Oh so beautiful..love the sound of the rushing river. And the video of Millie doing what dogs do best Ha Ha! It looks like such a peaceful place, I'm so glad you are able to enjoy it and take us along with you. More Millie!

Country Chick said...

That looks refreshing with all the snow melt! Looks like you are having a great time on your little get-a-way! Take care!
Janine

Vee said...

Peaceful... Thank you for sharing Wishing Island with us.