Picture of Lake District National Park
Caption: 1995. 2006. 2008. 2010. 2012. 2014. Gain and Loss:
Lake District,
England
Caption: 1995
Picture
Caption: While studying abroad at Cambridge University, I spent some time in the Lake District of North-West England. That trip was all about the physical: abseiling, orienteering, rappelling, archery, ropes courses, zip-lining, canoeing. I fell in love
with adrenaline and outdoor sports.
Picture
Caption: That's me. The one
in the middle who actually thought
a mountain-climbing harness
and helmet looked groovy on me.
I had a huge crush
on one of these guys.
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Caption: I was a thoughtless extrovert.
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Caption: But I fell in love with this place,
the beloved landscape of poet
William Wordsworth.
I swore I'd return at least every two years
for the rest of my life.
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Caption: But life happened.
I lost some things:
my naivety,
boyfriend,
film negatives,
disposable cameras,
athleticism,
and thirst for danger.
Caption: 2006
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Caption: After nearly a decade, I found my way back.
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Caption: But I was not the same person.
I had learned to think, read, write poetry, and love deeply.
I had become an introvert,
with more happening on the inside
than to my exterior.
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Caption: I traced the footsteps
of my favorite poet...
Picture of Wordsworth Grasmere
Caption: ...from Dove Cottage...
Picture of Rydal Mount & Gardens
Caption: ....to Rydal Mount.
Picture of Lake District National Park
Picture of Lake District National Park
Caption: I quieted myself and reflected
on what I'd gained.
Lake District National Park
Caption: An education.
A husband.
A house.
A career.
Two little boys.
Perspective.
Ninety pounds.
Wanderlust.
Relationship security.
Financial stability.
Independence.
Wealth of experience.
Wisdom and age.
Lake District National Park
Caption: 2008
Lake District National Park
Caption: There was a hurricane.
There were bad omens.
And a dead badger.
And trees downed across the road.
And a miscarriage.
All of nature wept and mourned the loss of my baby girl.
Picture of Lake District National Park
Caption: But a rainbow signaled hope.
And a prayer that, one day,
there'd be new life in my womb.
Lake District National Park
Caption: 2010
Picture of Lake District National Park
Picture of Lake District National Park
Picture of Lake District National Park
Picture of Lake District National Park
Picture of Lake District National Park
Picture of Lake District National Park
Picture of Lake District National Park
Lake District National Park
Caption: The sun came out. We hiked. We read poetry. We laughed.
And we celebrated the life of my newborn little girl.
So much had been restored since my last visit.
Aching tears
had turned to tears of joy.
Death gave way to new life.
Lake District National Park
Caption: 2012
Picture of Lake District National Park
Picture of Lake District National Park
Picture of Lake District National Park
Picture of Lake District National Park
Lake District National Park
Caption: I learned that seasons of life
are as varied as the weather.
And temporary.
Highs and lows.
Bright and happy
or gloomy and sad.
Life goes on.
And we grow.
Lake District National Park
Caption: 2014
Picture of Lake District National Park
Picture of Lake District National Park
Picture of Lake District National Park
Picture of Lake District National Park
Picture of Lake District National Park
Picture of Lake District National Park
Picture of Lake District National Park
Picture of Lake District National Park
Picture of Lake District National Park
Picture of Lake District National Park
Caption: I see the beauty of the Lake District
through an ever-changing lens.
Picture of Lake District National Park
Caption: "For I have learned
To look on nature, not as in the hour
Of thoughtless youth; but hearing oftentimes
The still, sad music of humanity,
Nor harsh nor grating, though of ample power
To chasten and subdue. And I have felt
A presence that disturbs me with the joy
Of elevated thoughts; a sense sublime
Of something far more deeply interfused,"
-William Wordsworth
