A Healing Getaway on Green Lake

In February we started an on-line search for a family getaway on Big Green Lake, in South Central Wisconsin. Little more than an hour from Madison, Green Lake would be the perfect spot for us so Cathy, Aaron, Patrick or I could run back to home base if necessary. What appeared to be the ideal place for our family was the cabin we found on http://www.greenlakegetaway.com/. Como Bay Hall, owned by Liz and Robert Olson includes a wonderful home of craftsman details and a special Thoreauesque cabin...they're both full of history.

I expected Aaron and Patrick would bring a friend, jet ski, boat, ski, tube, and mix with the vacationing teenagers they'd be sure to meet. They'd be able to spend time with their cousin Amanda Greening, home from Pepperdine for the summer with my sister Kathy and her husband Dave at the Angel Inn; www.AngelInns.com. We'd all be sure to stop in for the best breakfast of any B&B in Wisconsin.

Winter dreams of active, sunny summer days changed into spring prayers for warmth and mending for our broken hearts. Our spring and early summer days are filled with reading, talking, hugging, praying, and spiritual growth work. We considered cancelling the "getaway" and in the end decided to pack our books, canoe, and fishing poles to use the cabin for a tranquility base.

Liz called to make final arrangements and told Cathy the Green Lake property was used for thousands of years by Indians as spiritual grounds. Sweat lodges would have been a big part of the ceremonies. Nature spirit vibes are strong at Como Bay Hall and we were eager to feel the energy.

Aaron, a young man with an old spirit deeply connected to nature would be at home in the cabin.
When I walked in, I immediately knew where Aaron would set up his few belongings; the cot on the screened porch would be his home. The guitar, sandals, shorts, swim suit would fill his space.

Patrick discovered the upstairs room was the place to play Aaron's guitar and while he took my place in bed next to his Mom, the upstairs room was all his for playing guitar during the day. Everywhere was just right for reading; rocking chairs, couch, bed, docks, and of course the three
hammocks. (Imagine that: 3 hammocks, not 4. I noticed restaurants have tables for two, four, and more. Nothing is set up for three. Always an unused chair.) We read, and read, and read. Patrick read 288 pages of James Frey's A Million Little Pieces, a story of the author's six weeks in drug and alcohol rehab. Cathy is working her way through the Greening's personal library of books on healing after the loss of a child. Her current reads include George Anderson's, Our Children Forever, messages from children on the other side and Divine Guidance, by Doreen Virtue, PH. D. I finished C. S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain, and started his book Miracles.

Molly spent more time in the canoe with me as we paddled all over the lake and scouted a few new spots for fall duck hunting. We all caught large and small mouth bass and a few giant catfish. Even though Patrick and I spent a week fishing in Canada last year, Patrick considered this night fishing on the dock his favorite fishing experience with "Pops". He and I know why, and all I will say is we managed to return to the cabin in the darkwithout getting lost.

Green Lake is said to be healing waters and I agree. Our week was perfect for us and I look forward to returning from time to time. The cabin was exactly what we would have wanted for our family of four and it was exactly what we needed for our family of three and one angel.

We returned on Friday the 8th of July to discover a Magnolia tree gift from our friends at Keller Williams-Central Realtors in Madison. Yesterday Patrick, Cathy, and I...with help of Molly, planted the tree as the final touch to the new rain garden. The garden, started two Sundays ago, is named "Aaron and Patrick's garden of Tranquility, Peace, and Serenity". All are welcome to bring a book, drawing/painting tools, camera, or a thought to absorb the good vibe.

Peace and Prayers to you with Happy Birthday Wishes for Cathy today,

Tom