Living the Dream: Water, community ease the pain of loss

There’s a cradling, a sense of calm that takes over you as the water moves gently beneath your boat. A soft bounce that you can feel almost immediately as you step foot into your craft and shove off from the shore. You almost don’t need to go anywhere, you can simply float in place by trusting yourself to the buoyancy of the water below. You surrender to the feel of the water beneath you and let it take away some of your pain.

A float on the water can work its magic and work it quickly. Unlike air or earth, water embraces and supports you. Water, beautiful flat water, brings life to those both in and on top of it. It is nurturing, giving support when you need it the most. It brings peace to those who are hurting and eases their pain. There is a magic to flat water, one that you might not even recognize while you are floating atop its beauty.

And so we spent some time on that water this past Monday, honoring the memory of a very good friend and a beloved member of our community. Almost 100 boats floated on the waters of Kent Pond, awaiting the sunset and the rise of the full moon. We had all come with memories of a beloved friend and as we floated amongst the sunflowers, we shared those stories over and over again.

In some religions, a group of people gather each evening for several days to say prayers after the loss of a loved one. A single person praying alone is not enough; in the toughest of times you need the gathering of a minyan to grow strong and lean against in times of pain and suffering. Instead of being allowed to pull inward and dwell in your suffering, the community gathers to show its support and help you through the pain.

And so we gathered together, connected by our loss and our pain in losing someone way too soon. Between the water and the community, we were strengthened. Instead of suffering alone, we memorialized together. Instead of taking our grief onto ourselves, we shared the gift of our love with others and tightened the ponds of our community. 

It was beautiful. 

Paddlers of all different ages and watercraft gathering together to celebrate both the beauty of Kent Pond, paddling and the life of our loved one. So many variable experiences all melded together in one celebration. It was strikingly colorful, each boat a different color and style from the one next to it. A beautiful chaos swept up in a wave of love.

Right when we were supposed to meet, the heavens open and the rain came pouring down upon us. And no one flinched. I mean, you might have seen every set of shoulders droop just a bit as we paddled across the pond, but no one turned to leave. Instead, we looked at the bright sun just starting to peek through the clouds on the other side. We knew if we “just waited five minutes,” the weather would turn and we would once again find ourselves basking in the sunlight.

And out it came. In fact, as the multitude of boats gathered at the shoreline for a group photo, a rainbow grew out from the rain. A full rainbow, a clean crisp beautiful rainbow that grew into a double rainbow. The cheers from the crowd were from the amazement. Of course, on this day, there would be a double rainbow to celebrate Barb Wood. Nature was smiling on us as we remembered a friend who cherished nature and photographed it for all to share. 

Barb wanted everyone to see Kent Pond as she saw it — a magical place hidden right in front of us. A beautiful cove filled with loons, ducks, geese, cranes, hawks, beavers, turtles, fish and a stunning bald eagle to terrorize them all. It’s a precious gift, this pond. For many, it’s just a quick 100 acres on their way to work or a toast on the causeway to watch the sunset. Time on Kent Pond is time to breathe, to renew and a reminder to celebrate life as we have it. 

Next time you are feeling out of sorts, might I suggest pulling out your canoe, kayak or paddle board and head to the lake, the pond or the reservoir and let the water comfort you. Surround yourself in nature and just let yourself take it all in, the beauty of the world just as it is. Let the water surround you, and calm you and bring you peace. And if you go with a beloved friend, you will find that life is just how it should be. 

Paddle on, Barb. You will be greatly missed.

Merisa Sherman is a long time Killington resident, local realtor, bartender and coach. She can be reached at femaleskibum@gmail.com.