Pond Reflection - by Chris Earley

June 2024 I traveled to the White Lake and Commerce Michigan area to visit my brother who has suffered with progressive MS for 40 years. My small, but tight family gathered for a long overdue reunion and to discuss my brother's future care options. It was a bittersweet gathering.

To escape the hardship of the challenges ahead for just a little while, my niece, nephew, and sister-in-law went for a long walk in Kensington MetroPark. The park boasts stunning natural beauty with its lush forests, rolling hills, and the sparkling 1,200-acre Kent Lake. It's home to diverse wildlife, including white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, sandhill cranes, and red foxes. This serene retreat provides a peaceful escape for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Upon our entrance to the nature walk trails, I paused to take in the calming view of the lilly pond filled with carp and snapping turtles with blue skies filled with pillowy white clouds overhead. Look closely and you can see some of the fish.

It was the reset switch needed to begin our immersion into nature and to put our sadness and concern on pause.

I hope this image provides you with a sense of reflection, calm, peace and awe of the beauty of Mother Earth, especially in chaotic times like we are experiencing today.