Writing: Day 221 Thank you!

August 15, 2015
Day 221

Robert L. Treichler - The Man!

Doug - "I am the high commander."

Today we share the last few moments on Moose Pond in Denmark, ME. We are curious as to how Moose Pond received its pond status. This is a body of water covering a stretch of about eight miles. Regardless, the floating dock, shore lined evergreens and ascending pseudo-mountains will be but a memory in a few short weeks. But for now it is our reality and a darn good one! This time is a perfect birthday celebration for a man who has lived long and hard, my father, Bob Treichler.

Rainy Days on Moose Pond - Stunning

God knows what he is doing when Scott and Courtney Brown offer their getaway home to my brother, Doug. Originally, we are heading to a rental lake house in Rhode Island to celebrate my father's eightieth. But the Holy Spirit detours us and the plans are hijacked. Through a series of fortunate events we find ourselves bypassing Rhode Island, heading up Rt. 95, four more hours, to the unadulterated beauty of the state of Maine. For a period of five days we are given an opportunity to vacation, reflect and celebrate, eighty years of our father's well lived life, at Scott and Courtney's home. Oh, and when their pontoon boat is repaired we watch it dock outside their residence for us to use. C'mon! This is too much, too much kindness and goodness to handle. But we manage and our time at the Brown's is perfect.

Suzanne - Not much this woman will not try!

We live enchanted-like at Moose Pond. We stay inside on a rainy day and brush up on our game skills. No worries, we love games. And when the sun calls us out to play we wander to the dock and hop in the water. We push, we shove, we heave each other off the raft. All week, we watch and hear a loon couple call to one another from both sides of the Pond. We navigate the paddle-board with laughter and shrieks. We are adventurers of the Nile or fishermen in Hawaii. On this paddle board is a balancing act many of us lose but that does not stop us, we get right back on. The descendants of Bob and Suzanne Treichler are a determined lot, it is in our DNA.

Mornings at Moose Pond - to die for.

Then there are the fireside chats with our father. Everyone knows Bob Treichler will swim out of the shallows given a chance and go into the deep recesses of someone's spirit. He is the emotional guide through souls. We give him the freedom to guide our discussion around the fire pit for he is the master of creating reflective moments making them last as healing balms. We spiritually hold hands high lifting one another to the throne, knowing more how to pray for each other than when we first gathered.

Diane's Snacks...Lakeside service!

The discussions vary during our time together. Deep insights, trivial bits of information passing back and forth without direction, and recipes shared. We figure out life, we raise more questions and we will go home with more insights. This is living. The cousins are given an opportunity to know each other beyond their relational status and into deeper friendships. Their last day is spent sailing over the wake twisting and turning on a big overstuffed couch pulled by a beautiful pontoon boat driven by the one and only commander of the high seas, Uncle Doug.

Taken Moments Before the Slow Descend

Scott and Courtney will probably never know the treasure this time has been and is for our family. These are soon powerful memories that will be driven by gale force winds blowing into our dreary days turning our hearts to good and solid memories. We might wonder, "Can life get any better?"

Doug missed his calling.

Moments before we leave we gather together to thank God for our time and ask His traveling mercies as we motor to our different places. Though physically we will separate, our hearts will remain closer than before. God is good and the time we just spent on Moose Pond is indicative of His extreme and over exuberance in goodness! Thank you Scott and Courtney Brown for allowing us to make your getaway home our home for five solid days in August of 2015. This truly is a perfect way to celebrate our father's eightieth birthday! And we know now that Narnia is real!*