Back in 2017, we had a favorite picnic spot.
It wasn’t anything grand or famous. Just a place deep in the forest where a huge stone stood among the trees. Someone had built a simple table and benches nearby, and there was even a small shelter for firewood. We always talked about making a fire there one day, but somehow life was always busy and we never got around to it.
Still, we spent many lunches there.
We would bring sandwiches, tea, and the kids. We sat at that table, listened to the birds, and enjoyed being surrounded by trees. It felt like a small secret place that belonged to the forest.
Then, over the years, things slowly changed.
The table disappeared. The benches disappeared. The little firewood shelter was gone. But the stone remained, and whenever we passed by, it was still enough to remind us of those picnics.
This Saturday, we decided to visit again.
We almost drove past the place.
At first, I couldn’t understand why it looked so different. Then it hit me.
The forest was gone.
The trees had been cut down, leaving an open space where there had once been shade, birdsong, and the feeling of being hidden away from the world. It was so different that I barely recognized it.
We sat in the car for a while, looking at what was left.
Then we walked over to the stone.
There it was, standing exactly where it always had, except now it was alone.
No forest. No table. No benches. Just the stone.
I found myself putting my arms around it, as if I could somehow thank it for staying. I had to take a picture with the kids.
Side by side. You can see the smallest rock on the left. And in yesterday’s picture, it’s under the bags of snacks.
Some memories remain, even when the landscape around them is gone.
Ilze
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Ilze . . . just saw this flying in and I won’t ‘like’ it – the poor stone must be feeling as sad as you do! Wish there was a way you could put it on a fam truck and bring it to keep forever company’ with all of you near your home . . . it will assuredly be blown apart with some explosives to make room for whatever will take up the space – but it would be too heavy . . . I doubt it will be allowed to remain . . .
I have two big stones on my property… I think it’s time to visit them 🙂
Some places are so special, even when things around them change. When I was in first grade our class planted some Aspen trees in the outskirts of a forest close to the school. It was just tiny seedlings. As an adult I have visited the place several times, I have to admit that it was a few years ago now, but I am planning on taking my daughter there. The last time I visited the Aspen groove was filled with tall, beautiful trees.
Oh, yes, places change! Take your daughter and tell her story. My mom and her classmates burried “time capsule” near school, and I hope they will dig it out one day 🙂
Love it!
What wonderful memories you have of a place that is no longer the same. That is a very large, beautiful stone.
Kids love it! We brought Nelle’s friend also, so she was surprised there is no forest, cause we talked about this “forest place” 🙂
How sad that the beautiful trees were cut down. I’m glad that your family has wonderful memories there. That boulder was possibly left there from the last ice age 10,000 years ago. If only it could speak to us the tales it could tell…
I bet it’s old! I have 2 old stones on my property… not that big, but yes… still can tell tales 🙂