Love our Lakeshore: A heart wide open 

February 24, 2025

Love Our Lakeshore logo with Friends lighthouse silhouette and website address friendsoftheapostleislands.org

During this challenging time of change for our nation and for our national parks, Friends of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore wants to shine a bright light – a lighthouse beacon if you will – on this very special place and on the people dedicated to protecting the national lakeshore for future generations. (You can tell us why you Love Our Lakeshore by filling out our simple form at this link.)

In this edition of “Love our Lakeshore” clinical therapist, mother, and Little Sand Bay resident Jessica Waclawski speaks about her love of the Apostle Islands with her heart wide open.

In my heart, the importance of having these Apostle Islands protected as a National Lakeshore is immeasurable. Especially now as we are being confronted with questions that ask:
How important are these hard-to-reach islands to us? How valuable is the clean fresh water we swim in and enjoy? What are we willing to risk to continue to protect and prioritize their well-being? What actually is our relationship to it all? 

Baby standing on beach looking at Lake Superior

My relationship is rather new. I’m still in that head over heels stage of falling in love. I’ve called this area home for just three years now, yet it feels like the home I have always been searching for. I am absolutely enchanted by Lake Superior Herself. Her power and stillness move me and speak to me. Rarely, am I not drawn into deep emotion when I’m with Her. Either walking Her shoreline or the few times I’ve paddled on Her back. Something awakens within me and it always reminds me of what matters, what doesn’t, and to be humbled by my small place amongst it all. 

In the newness of my relationship with this area, I’m not well traveled. I have only briefly visited a few of the islands and been out on the water fewer times than one hand can count. But living a mile from Little Sand Bay, I have watched numerous sunsets, walk regularly the sandy or ice-covered shores, noticing the subtle changes that shape the land each day. I know where the tall white pines stand and the steady rocks I like to climb on to get a clearer view. I have my places where I prefer to pray while tending a small fire.  I have brought special people in my life to the shore for ceremonies of thanksgiving and celebration. When our daughter was born, we intentionally held a ceremony to introduce her to the water and place her feet for the first time on the earth, which was upon the sands of this unique lake shore. 

Small fire on a beach at sunset
Smiling Jessica Waclawski  sitting on floor

So, this place matters in ways that are intangible for some but infinite to me. The meaning goes beyond any sense of financial profit or material gain, and into a mystery that breaks my heart wide open. This is why I will love this place, this National Lakeshore, as long as I have breath. 

Jessica Waclawski is a counselor, life coach  and Friends member living on the south shore of Lake Superior. Learn more about her work by visiting her website.

Jessica Waclawski

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