“It's like the great stories, Mr. Frodo, the ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were, and sometimes you didn't want to know the end because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad has happened? But in the end, it's only a passing thing this shadow, even darkness must pass. A new day will come, and when the sun shines, it'll shine out the clearer. I know now folks in those stories had lots of chances of turning back, only they didn't. They kept going because they were holding on to something. That there's some good in this world, Mr. Frodo, and it's worth fighting for.” ― Samwise Gamgee

 

My daughter Christa unexpectedly got into a North House Fold School class in Grand Marais, MN. She asked me if I wanted to go along for the ride, so I said, "Sure, why not?" 

We drove up on Friday and checked into the cutest little cottage one0eight. 

It was so clean and the perfect size for the two of us. 

Once we got settled in, Christa was off for her first night of class. The cottage was just a few blocks from the school, so she walked to it. 

Once her class was done we went to the local brewery for some supper and to sample the beer. 

Saturday, Christa was in class from 9:00-5:00. I spent the day walking around the town, checking out a few shops, taking a 4-mile walk on the Gitchi-Gami Trail, and reading. It was the most relaxing day. 

I walked out to the Grand Marais lighthouse and took this photo of the North House Folk School where Christa was taking her class. It is such a great school, and they teach so many skills. 

I loved sitting on the shores of Lake Superior. It is the best place to just be still and breathe. 

Sunday, Christa had another day of class. I had walked up this huge hill on Saturday, and as I walked, I thought I should try and run up it. On Sunday, I started walking about a quarter of the way up I told myself to run, and that is what I did. It was hard, but I reached the top without stopping to walk. I love a good challenge. Running is really just a mental game. If you think you can do it, you can. 

I forgot to mention that the class Christa was taking was pastry making. She brought all the tasty pastries back for me to try. They were all soooooo good! I probably should have gone back and ran up that hill a few more times 😂

Such beauty on the shoreline. 

 These past two years have been so hard. The weekend away, having alone time to decompress, reflect, and relax, is what I needed for my mental health. It is okay to not always be the strong one. It is okay to feel all those emotions and let it all out. It is okay to be sad about what I have lost. It is okay that learning to live with grief takes time. 

Take a day, week, or year. Do not let anyone tell you that you need to get over it.

Sharon