Writing the Self 1: Land of the Living Skies

"Beautiful sunset tonight, isn't it?" my dad asks me. I take in my surroundings. Lines of fire mark the sky from the setting sun. The bold streaks of orange, pink, red and blue fading into one another to create the sky that Saskatchewan is famous for. The sun, glowing and big, continues to submerge itself into the water on the horizon. Bathing itself in the low waves of the lake. The wind wisps across the water causing small ripples in the lake, then brushes against my skin. I shiver, at the cool air. The wind causes my hair to whisk across my face, just like it moves the clouds to create an ever changing fleet of colours in the sky.

I look across the water, following the spotlight of the setting sun back to the shoreline. Calm waves lazily fall against the sand and touch my toes. The water feels warm and comforting. I walk further into the lake and feel the meek waves reach my ankles. I reach down into the clear water to look for the best skipping stone. This rock is too big, that one is too rough. My fingers graze what I am searching for. The perfect skipping stone. I notice how smooth the rock is against my fingers. It feels as smooth as silk. I hold the rock in my hand and notice how the stone is shaped. No longer than my finger, no wider than my hand, with round edges. The stone is dark grey and glimmers when the sun catches it in the right place. I place the rock between my thumb and my first finger and lean back. With just enough force, I bring my arm forward and release the rock from my hand. I watch the silhouette of the stone bounce across the water to the backdrop of a symphony of colours. One, two, three, four, five, six. Six skips! My best yet. I feel a proud smile cross my face. The ripples in the water from the stone intersect and create a shimmering path back to the setting sun.

As the sun goes to sleep behind the horizon, I look up and see that the colours have changed to dark pink and blue. The cotton candy skies begin to dim over the water as dusk sets in. The remaining rays of warmth seep into my skin, relieving the shivers from the wind. I take a deep breath in and smell the fresh water. Birds are chirping in the tress behind me and my dog is barking at a squirrel. The sound of the wind rustling the branches of the trees is calming. I hear laughter and look back at my family. They are all in awe of the brilliance in the colourful sky. My dad takes a seat beside my mom on the bench we built in memory of my grandma.

I walk over to join them, feeling the sand stick in between my toes from the water. On the bench in between my parents there is an engraved sign. The remaining golden light of the sun shines over the sign. I move closer and read, "leave the dishes, take a seat, enjoy the sunset, it can't be beat."