Chester State Park

Today was one of those beautiful fall days. No clouds, crisp air, and the smell of fallen leaves filled the air. After Mass, we ate a quick lunch and made our way to Chester State Park. For those of you counting, that makes 8 out of 47 parks in SC. Chester is small, but it has won its way into my heart. Possibly even my favorite so far. We must take our camper there, for the small campground overlooks the lake and a lovely gathering place, complete with a firepit and many, many cozy swings.

Depositing the kids who "didn't want to go" at the playground, Tony and I ventured out on the short 1.3 mile trail around the lake. I felt the frustrations of the week leave and I could breathe the calm of the outdoors. So many doubts and fears lately, and they peeled off as the afternoon breeze hit me. I know what and how I want to bring up these children of mine, but the constraints of our life keep getting in the way. Jobs, theatre, obligations. They make it so hard to get out of doors and truly appreciate the world that God made. And yet, I feel that I am sometimes sacrificing the important for the mundane. How to find the balance? I know not, but I continue to seek the answer.

And those people of mine who "didn't want to go"? They didn't want to leave when the sun was sinking behind the trees, signaling the end of the day and the closing of the park.

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