Bog Magic

July 2020

Our trip to Lubec this weekend was rainy. My vision of sun drenched days by the ocean was swallowed in the mist. We made the most of the foggy warm day by walking on the bog trail at Quoddy Lighthouse. As we drove up to the fog shrouded lighthouse, I knew we had made the right decision. The trail wound along ocean cliffs, the rocks cropping up in dark huddles through the mist. The woods path to the bog was so magical that they had to put up signs to not make fairy houses. The green moss lit the woods, dark trees tangled a ceiling above the trail—I yelled ahead to the kids, “Hansel and Gretel, don’t take candy from the witch!” As we reached our destination, the fog cast the perfect spell for viewing the bog. The pitcher plants were drinking their water and mist rolled in between the myriad of species as we inched our way along the boardwalk. 

On the trail back, I was walking a bit ahead of my kids and husband. Buoyed by the joy of a vacation day rescued and enchanted with the dark magical woods, I began to skip to “We’re off to see the wizard.” I felt lifted up out of this world into memories of similar moments of magic and promise from my childhood. Those vacation times of walking around Lake Scranton, or hiking Mt. Battie, when I would feel that around the bend something worth holding your breath for could be waiting, that mixture of delight tinged with hope. 

I believe this ability to levy myself up with creativity, magic, hope...has shaped me into a survivor. I emerged from my childhood, cancers, traumas...intact in a way that I could not have without this belief in magic. From Santa to fantasies—this place I could visit—the shire, the labyrinth, the dark and twisted woods alight with green, has kept me whole—able to love my children, retain friendships, and eventually be prepared to accept a love big enough to lift me out of fear and murk. At 51, I am more complete and happy than I have ever been.  Though I can still enjoy my wings being lifted up a little higher, my life is finally one I want to revel in, not escape from.