White Rock Lake in Dallas has been a lifelong friend of mine. My mom and dad brought me there as a child. We'd pick up a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken and have a little picnic by the water. It became the permanent home of my childhood pet duck, Herman P. Duck, when he got too big for the bathtub (much to my dismay, I might add). In the early eighties, it went through a rough period, seemingly forgotten by everyone except for motorcycle gangs and druggies. Then in the early nineties it had its renaissance. People began taking an interest in it again and recognized it for the jewel it is. When I worked in Dallas through the nineties, I'd ride my bike around it several times a week - which soothed the artist in me that I was trying to force into a "real job". And it was a place for healing when my world fell apart over ten years ago. There is a bench there that I would sit in for hours at a time to watch the sailboats race and the sun move across the sky. What I wouldn't give now to sit in one place for that long! After my father died (only a month before my son was born), my brother and I planted a tree there in his honor. He loved that lake too. The tree overlooks the playground, giving shade to the kiddos on the hot days we have here. Each time I visit White Rock Lake, I notice new improvements they've made to the lake. Right now they are building a new spillway - complete with an observation deck! It is such a beautiful and well loved place. Thank you,
For the Love of the Lake, for taking such good care of my lifelong friend. Thank you!
I visited the lake last week when I had some time to myself. The whole time I was there I kept wondering why I hadn't come there to take photos yet! I guess there's a time for everything, right?
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| I remember this day at White Rock Lake. That's my dad's Impala. He took this picture. I'm 3 1/2. |
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I loved my soldier dress. And I LOVED my dad's car. We went fishing in it together and
I spilled a milkshake in it. He didn't even get angry. I just had to sit in the milkshake until we got to the lake! |
What a lovely post. I love the pictures of you at the lake. We live right by the lake and it has become a special friend to us over the years. I trained for 2 marathons there. My running friend used to joke that when people asked her where she worshiped, she'd answer "White Rock Lake." AMEN! My husband cycles there. I ride around it with my bestie and my oldest daughter. I take my dog there. I drove around it constantly when my youngest was a baby and I was in the throes of a nasty postpartum depression/adjustment. It's definitely a breathing, living entity in our lives. Thanks for reminding me just how much.
ReplyDeleteNinotchka - I love what your friend said!! AMEN, indeed!
ReplyDeleteso cute!! nice story :)
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