Along the Hudson

As much as I love Central Park, I’m so enamored with Riverside Park along the Hudson River. There’s something about that river that provides me such peacefulness and serenity regardless of the time of day.

I’m currently reading the book, The Artist’s Way, and one of the tools in helping to discover and recover your creative self is called the artist’s date. It’s a time that you set aside to be all by yourself, opening yourself to insight, inspiration and guidance. Walking the Hudson is my artist’s date. The only other person allowed to come along with me is my inner artist, my creative child. I’m definitely learning that spending time in solitude with my artist child is absolutely essential to self-nurturing.

Part of my date is sitting on this particular bench with this young man whose life was ended on 9-11. I think about how he must have loved biking this path as much as I do. I know he has also found the solitude, the peacefulness and serenity at this special place, overlooking the Hudson. After sitting on this bench many times I decided to google Blake to learn more about him. I read this tribute and thought how perfect. There’s a reason I’ve been drawn to this particular bench.

He had a child-like appreciation for life. Blake knew how to have fun. He had no trouble accessing his inner child, and so our friends’ kids all loved him and his silly ways. He appreciated the small gifts of everyday life; a bike ride through Riverside Park, a hike in the woods, a delicious meal, going to the movies, reading a really good book, spending time with friends or family – any of these activities would bring a big smile to Blake’s face, and, as a result, to mine.