I mean, I really, really love Summer....
I love the sun shining pretty on the lake, the sand beneath my toes, the little snack shack by the Burlington waterfront that serves ice cream and french fries, and the long, endless days of light.
Summer is one of the few reasons why I chose my latest adventure.
***
I woke up one day late in July and decided to go for a walk.
It was a clear blue sky, sunny kind of morning and my shoulder was giving me some signs I needed a day off exercise and a nice long walk in the sunshine.
I walked a 5 mile loop from my house.
The first 45 minutes I had my earphones in, listening to my latest top-40 list full crank, as I strolled down the side streets to get to the water.
I passed a skinny lady with an ironman shirt, a lady full of make up speed walking, a man with a dog almost as big as he was and a lady with a little dog in a stroller. (Who takes their dog for a walk in a stroller??)
I didn't take much notice of them - just kept walking ahead on my mission for my 5 miles.
When I got to the beach, I paused my playlist and decided I would walk the rest without music. I would ask myself one question and just listen to what surfaced for the rest of the time I walked.
The question was 'what is it that I want my life to look like in 5 years?'
As I walked down the beach, there was all kinds of chatter. A family was getting photos taken, kids were playing in the water and building sand castles, couples sat in beach chairs reading books. There was an air of play and rest as I tuned in to everything around me.
The water was lapping quietly, the seagulls squawking away, the Canada Geese sitting pretty on their declared real estate. There was even a few tent campers hidden up amongst the trees and I remember wondering how long they would stay and if they would get told to leave by the city.
I walked across the waterfront to the pier, past the splash pad and the swing set. Bikers and skate boarders breezed past me and I soaked it all in. As I walked the last mile back up Brant Street, I thought how lucky we were to have all these boutique-y little shops near us. The belgian chocolate place that I really need to make sure I try, Joelle's dress shop (where I'm going to buy something as soon as I make some decent money again), 7th Wave Yoga studio (my second home) and Tamp coffee that I stopped at for an Americano to drink on the last stretch home.
***
The next morning I woke up and I thought - that was pretty cool. I think I'm going to do that again.
So I walked the 5 mile loop and I smiled at the regulars I recognized from the day before.
On the third morning, I decided I was going to do this for 30 days.
I absolutely loved being in the fresh air and starting my day this way, and who knows how much longer I will be able to spend 90 minutes a day walking before my professional commitments require a shift to my fitness regime. It's approaching August and I wanted to enjoy the last month of the Summer and take it all in.
That third morning, as I walked along the beach, I noticed there was one tent that had been there all three days.
I'd been reading in the Hamilton newspaper about campers who were occupying the beaches due to high rent and I felt quite sad.
I wondered whether I should watch for who it was and bring them a coffee or some breakfast one day.
***
By the second week, I had established a routine.
I smiled at the iron lady, the dog stroller lady, the make up speed walker. I knew them enough to say good morning and carry on.
When I got to the beach, I saw the same tent up on the hill, back by the trees and looked up to wave.
There was definitely a guy living there.
He had long blond hair and a deep tan, like someone would who was living on the beach.
One morning he didn't have his tent. He was lying on the beach under a blanket with just a cooler nearby.
I made it a point every day to look up and smile and wave at him when I went by.
I wondered how he ended up there - living amongst the trees.
Did he have a job?
When did he lose his home?
Did he have any friends and why hadn't they offered to help him?
Or had they and his luck had run out and he had overstayed his welcome?
One morning, I was walking along the trail and he biked past me. All of his belongings were on his back and a guitar and I wondered if he was going to a liquor store or something to play for money to strangers.
***
Only two mornings out of 30, it rained.
And I was so driven to complete my 30 days that I decided I was going anyways.
Rain or shine.
5 miles.
30 days.
So I left my phone at home and went on my way.
There is something about fighting the elements that is so exhilarating.
I was smiling, walking through the rain, sky completely black, as I took my familiar route to the beach.
Iron lady was out but no one else that is on my usual path.
When I got to the beach front, he was sitting under a sheltered area playing guitar. His tent and belongings were beside him and my heart was aching that he had no where to live and here he was, just playing and singing away under the canopy.
He stopped playing and said to me, "Rain or shine, eh?"
I smiled and said, "Yes, absolutely. Rain or shine. It's just water."
And to that, he smiled back. He said, "Yes. Yes it is."
As I walked the beach in the rain through an absolute downpour, I was wondering if I should have stayed under that canopy and listened as he played a song.
I love live music more than anything and what better tale than sitting and listening to someone play music who might need a friend.
***
By the third week, I stopped taking my phone at all.
I wanted the full 90 minutes of silence to tune in to everything that was taking place.
It was becoming a ritual.
I would wake up and have my coffee and within 20 minutes, be out the door for my walk.
I loved seeing the sun rise, looking at the lake - so peaceful one day and white caps and dancing the next.
And every day, I waved at my homeless friend up amongst the trees.
***
Last week, I noticed there was a tiki torch, that was new, by the area of where he lived.
I wondered if someone had bought it for him or if he purchased it himself?
It was the first time, that for a split second, I thought - what if he's choosing to live out here?
***
The last ten days have plodded along, as I continued to ask myself questions and walk in silence for 90 minutes every morning.
What is the best use of my skills and what direction should I turn next?
Am I open to all new opportunities and possibilities or am I rigid in my mindset on how I want things to unfold?
What are 5 things I'm grateful for in the past 24 hours?
As time went on, answers were beginning to surface daily and I found my thirty days far more profound than I ever anticipated or expected.
So much so, that today was day 33.
***
This morning, I stopped the lady with the dog and the stroller and said hello.
Her dog's name is Daisy and she is 14 years old. She has to take the stroller because Daisy can only walk one length of the waterfront trail now that she is so old. She doesn't want to stop taking her for her walk so she had to improvise. What remarkable love for her pet that she bought a buggy to ensure Daisy doesn't miss out.
I stopped the make up lady that speed walks and she told me that my smile every morning encourages her to keep going and finish her walk.
I saw the man with the dog at the park, who smiled at me and for the first time in 30 days, said good morning and asked how I was.
But the best was the homeless guy on the beach.
When I went to the beach front today, I walked the full length as always and I didn't see him up amongst the trees. I started to wonder what was going to happen to him as the seasons started to change and it was getting colder.
As I was exiting the beach past the rest rooms and water stations, I stopped for some water. As I looked up, there he was taking a shower at the outdoor showers. (Yes, he was clothed... )
He turned off the taps and looked over at me and put his hand out.
He said, "I'm Jason, by the way".
I smiled and said, "I'm Sarah."
He said, "It's nice to finally meet you after all this time."
I told him that I didn't know how he did it, how he spent every night out here but I bet he had an incredible view at sunrise.
He said "and sunsets."
Yes, and sunsets.
I asked him what he was going to do when the weather started to turn.
He said, "I'll go indoors. But hopefully that won't be for another month."
I said, "you are here by choice?"
He told me he's a freight broker and has been for 19 years. He had a condo downtown Hamilton and his company has a few lawsuits on the go so he decided to take a break - to live minimally and enjoy the Summer by the beach.
I walked the rest of the way home beaming with his story, but my heart was filled with awe.
***
How quickly do we pass judgement on people or situations with limited knowledge?
We form opinions with gaps in information, without challenging our traditional belief system or the awareness of alternate possibilities.
Not everything is as it appears at first glance. Our perceptions are just optical illusions, and not always a true reflection of what lies beneath.
"Every single person on this planet has a story. Don't judge them before you truly know them. The truth may actually surprise you."
This morning was the best.
