My mother revealed to me a nickname that she had secretly assigned me when I was a young teen. She thought of me as “The Waterstrider”. Ever seen those long-legged bugs in a still puddle who are able to stroll the surface without ever breaking the tension that keeps them above water? Here are a few:
My “Waterstrider” tendencies changed, my mother noted, after my sister and I were in a car accident and she was killed. I turned 17 only three days later, and began to ask the Really Big, Serious Questions about life. I began to search for Depth and Meaning, but mostly from only one perspective – Christianity. When I was 45, my husband died in bed beside me early one Saturday morning. My journey toward Depth was not over. I decided to look from a different angle. I needed a bigger perspective.
I discovered that there is so much more than I had ever noticed before. Depth goes in different directions: up and down, inward and outward…indefinitely. Maybe it was less overwhelming to be a Waterstrider, but it was also less genuine. In the depths of the sea, there is reflected the vastness of the heavens. In the solitude of a silent moment, there is the ageless Now. In the recognition of something we “know”, there is the awareness of Mystery that we will never comprehend. This might be what some people call “Wisdom” or “Maturity”. I tend to think of it as simple Truth. If you’re not afraid to go below the surface, you may discover the wonders of Depth. It feels different. It surrounds you, puts pressure on places that may not be used to bearing it. But you may discover a strength and resiliency you didn’t know you had…at least I did. Then that depth makes you feel buoyant and free…as if you were flying!
Take up the challenge, friends. Take a journey into Depth.
(Thanks, Word Press, for a great theme!)
© 2015, essay and photographs, Priscilla Galasso, All rights reserved
scillagrace 
Very moving piece. Your pictures are beautiful and your words even more so.
Thank you! I’m glad you came to visit; come back any time!
“A lake is the landscape’s most beautiful and expressive feature. It is earth’s eye; looking into which the beholder measures depth of his own nature. The fluviatile trees next to the shore are the slender eyelashes which fringe it, and the wooded hills and cliffs around are its overhanging brows.”- H.D Thoreau, 1854.
Reminded me of your piece…yourself and Thoreau are in my top 5 American writers 🙂
Wow! What a compliment! I truly love the quote and the metaphor. Staring into those eyes helps me to understand the whole being of the landscape, like looking into my lover’s eyes.
My pleasure, you have a truly unique and elegant writing style 🙂 precisely! Like they say (whoever ‘they’ are), the eyes are the doorway to the soul.
Priscilla–this touched me deeply, reminding me of the important role that loss plays in our growth as persons. Such a difficult journey you’ve traveled but how deeply it’s influenced you. The photos you chose are so appropriate in telling the story.
Thank you, Victoria, for this affirmation. The journey is what creates and reveals character, not something we orchestrate, but something we engage with. I can’t take credit for all of it, but I can take credit for much.
I love the idea of depth in all directions–so very true.
yes, like deep space all around. 🙂
A beautiful reflection – thank you Priscilla.
Thank you, Bruce, for visiting!