My watermark is Lake Erie.

Sitting on deck with a cup of tea overlooking the top layer of Lake Erie waters
frantically glistening like diamonds under the morning sun and listening to the soft
sounds of the water lapping against the shore as the breeze shyly comes off the
water caressing my face and deeming me a "good morning."

Lake Erie has been my second home during the summer months for numerous
years. It is a part of my childhood. We are deeply bonded...from the clear, waveless water that allows you to see tiny minnows that dance around your feet to the choppy, murky, algae infested water that seems to manifest overnight.
Lake Erie is sporadic...temperamental...boasts shallow waters yet strikes high on a mood swing scale.

Lake Erie is alive. Children frolicking in the water, adults and pets swimming, the
sound of laughter unravelling like a ribbon in the excited air.

Lake Erie throws a veil of peace, of belonging over my head and draws me in, makes me feel like I am a part of nature, a part of her world. She has good days. She has bad days. She sure does love her algae...but she is a part of me and to truly love you must all parts of the whole, what you like and what you dislike.

My heart beats...in every imperfect wave...