Summertime at the Lake
Dear friends,
I love my summer vacations in Kuesnacht, Switzerland. Most people think of summer as a season of hot, long and sunny days, ice cream, vacation and barbecues. I think of unconditional love. That’s why I go where I go every year. Come with me on this magical journey.
Upon
leaving the hotel to go for a walk I make a right turn for the main street. The
hotel is located along Seestrasse, which
can be translated as Lake Street.
Indeed, Seestrasse runs along the
lake of Zurich (Zurichsee) on both sides. It is a busy and important connection
between the many small towns that are nestled along the lake shore. Switzerland
is – compared to other vast lands – a relatively small country. This also means
that space is scarce. Houses are built right next to each other. The line of
cars at every traffic light seems endless. A walk along Seestrasse is a pleasure for lovers of nice cars though. Everything
is here, from Jeeps to Audis, from Bentleys to BMWs. As an admirer of high
quality, I enjoy this sight. Passing a couple of mansions with huge gates, I
realize that people here certainly must love a high quality of life as I do. “I
should move here someday”, I think, and walk on.
Finally, I arrive at my resting
spot, a green area with huge lawns for anything from picnics to book readings,
and sun baths. As I sit down at the bench at the lakeshore and look out, I
realize once again why I am here. The lake is big enough for the countless
boats including the big passenger ferries to make waves. The sound of the
crashing waves onto the shore makes me feel good. As water bearing Aquarius I
have always loved open waters such as big lakes, infinite seas and endless oceans.
My vacation has begun. On my right there is a little pier from which you can
take one of these passenger ferry boats to go on a refreshing ride around the
lake and a photo opportunity of the picturesque mountaintops against the blue
sky in the distance. Compared to other possibilities of summertime relaxation
such as being one of too many people at a public swimming area, this spot is
quiet and peaceful. I can relax here from my daily stresses at work and in my
hometown. Here I can watch ducks play, swans swim in the lake and stretch out
to look into the sky where I can see white birds fly high. They look like
seabirds. They seem so happy and free. I often wish I was one of them and could
stay here forever.
Behind me there is a nursery
home. Every once in a while an elderly patient comes out for a walk to enjoy
the scenery with me. “Gruerzi”, they always say to me (meaning hello in Swiss
German) even though they don’t know me here. The people here are very friendly
and welcoming. Indeed, the only interruption you have here is their warm
greeting. That’s one of the reasons I love coming here. Kuesnacht near Zurich
in Switzerland captured my heart a couple of years ago. As the sun starts to
set on the horizon on the other side of the shore, the lake disappears into the
night. Nights are magical here. Due to the closeness of the houses and the many
streetlights on Seestrasse, seemingly
millions of lights start to turn on. One by one they enlighten and surround the
lake as if those lights try to hug the lake and wish it a goodnight. This
moment feels like a mother tugging her child in for the night. With a gentle
kiss on the cheek, the sun starts setting and disappearing behind the hills. As
it gets cooler and some wind comes up, I start thinking that soon it will be
time to return to my hotel. Nights can be chilly here, even during the summer,
and I didn’t bring a jacket.
Now is the most magical time
to look across the lake. See all these twinkling lights of the houses and
streetlights? They look like stars. Indeed, these lights are not much different
from real stars. Look! There are lights everywhere! The daytime was magnificent
but this is divine. It feels as if the entire universe comes together in this
tiny spot on earth. I see the lights and I feel the unconditional love coming
from the creation of all.
Moments
like these make me grateful. Gone are the days of discussion on how expensive
my trip must be. Gone are the days spent in defense mode with people who don’t
understand what I see in this place, why I would spend my summers here. The
entire universe is here to kiss me good night and ensure me that I’ll be safe.
What else could anyone wish for? This is what heaven must be like. As I gather
my things and get up from my bench to walk back to my hotel, I can’t stop
looking at those lights. Back on Seestrasse
I walk and keep looking at the stars in the sky and the lights across the
lake from the other shore. I feel astonished. I am amazed by this beauty beyond
my humble human understanding. I mean, I can study something like science and
be amazed by discoveries that people have made. I can study history and learn
about what happened in the past. However, I cannot explain this moment. I
cannot comprehend this moment. I can only feel
this moment. This magical moment and feeling of being a tiny part of our vast
universe humbles me. I soon realize that there are not just houses and cars in
our world but there is a divine power that manifests itself in nature’s beauty
and the endless love that we, humans, feel when we are surrounded by it.
Certainly, this place is beautiful. I wish everyone could come here. I can’t
keep my eyes from these lights.
As
I retreat back into my hotel I open my window to look out at those twinkling
lights on the other side of the lake once more. How relaxing is the silence of
the night now. Now I feel warm again. It’s not just the comfort of my room. I
feel loved. Then I start thinking of a very special person. I think of you, earth mother. I know you love
lights like me. I know that you live in one of the houses along the lake shore
not far from my hotel. So I send a prayer up to the heavens for you and pray
for a safe night. May the angels wrap their wings around you while you sleep,
protect you, and send you beautiful dreams. I pray for your happiness; I pray
for your joy. I pray in gratitude for the opportunity to come here. You decided
to live here a long time ago and I surely understand why. Each year I come here
I am enchanted anew by the sparkling sun reflecting in the lake, the bird’s
cheerful play, the scent of flowers, the friendly people and the magnificent
scenery. Yes, it is indeed nice here. As I ask the angels to fly over to your
house and wish you a good night from me, I know that there is more than the
beauty here. I know that it is your existence down the road that makes me feel
so loved. I believe that it is your God given unconditional love you have for
the world that fills my heart. “We are all one” you once said, and I believe I
know what you mean. You teach the world the meanings of kindness, tolerance and
peace such as a mother teaches her child. You display the mother within and
help me understand that even I, an ordinary person, am a divine being worthy of
love. Furthermore, you help me discover my own mother within. I truly believe
that, each time I leave here, I am a better person, thanks to you.
This is the
real reason why I come here. Yes, the lake is beautiful but there is so much
more. You teach me what unconditional love is. You strengthen me and heal my
soul. I feel your warmth; I feel your love. Each time I come here I feel
renewed. Thank you for your love, earth mother.
Love, Barbara
Copyright © 2015 by Barbara
Bullock
Photo credit © 2015 by Barbara
Bullock
#Kuesnacht #Zurich #Zurichsee #Summer #Summertime
#TinaTurner #Seestrasse #Lake
Comments
Post a Comment