10 plus hours of travel overnight, and I have arrived in Nova Scotia. Having only a few hours of sleep on the plane. I shake off fatigue and drive for an adventure in Peggy’s Cove.
I’ve been to Nova Scotia twice before, but that was over 28 years ago, and I’ve never been out adventuring alone there, so I am looking forward to it.
As I see the coast come into view, the emotions and tears begin to rise up. At first I chalk it up to the lack of sleep, take a deep breath, and push them away.
The shoreline comes into crisp view. The water smashes upon the rocks, spraying white water into the air. The emotions and tears rise up again. Another deep breath and a hard shove — they are suppressed. But not very far.
Turning the corner, admiring the view, I see movement ahead, at the side of the road, off to the right. There, walking the same direction as I am driving, is a beaver.
And the tears came. There was no stuffing them down this time, no off switch. I just let them flow.
Over a beaver? you may ask.
Yes a beaver! And there are a host of reasons why.
- I’ve been struggling lately, still processing the surgery, some family things and just life (you know). But I really haven’t taken the time to process and feel the feels. I am pretty good at compartamentalizing things.
- The beaver reminded me of a few things in a matter of seconds.
- My Dad always taught us to look for God’s creatures as we traveled. I was glad I spotted him.
- God brought that beaver across my path to encourage me, when I needed it the most.
- I’ve written a book with a pair of beavers, BUT my editor gave me a list of edits, and I am stuck. I mean, I haven’t even touched it for MONTHS. With everything going on, seeing the beaver felt like a sign to get back to it. Stop fighting with myself, with self-doubt, and just get back to it.
That little beaver spoke volumes in his silent struts down the street.
I drove on until the entrance of Peggy’s Cove was visible. Parked my car and processed what had just happened. The plug I had used to “just get on with it” had been pulled. It’s time to feel these feelings, process them, maybe file some away or write about them. Then and only then will I be ready for what’s next.
This trip to the East Coast (where I did my college internship) has been so good.
Now, I’ll have to end this here. I have some editing to do.
Charity Mongrain Consulting 