ABOUT OUR NAME
Our name, Ripple on Silver Lake, was inspired by the memory of my Mom, Ann Jacobson, who moved on to her next great adventure on September 27, 2017. In her final words she reminded me that the only thing that really matters in life is love. "Only love. Only love. Do all things with love. For in the end, love is all that matters," she said, shortly before she slipped away.
In her final days, Mom shared her favorite memories of where she felt love the most and she shared who she was with. There were many people and many places. One of her favorite memories were made on a lake she used to go to as a child. She told me that a trip to the lake had been a yearly tradition for both her family and her mother's family as children. Mom couldn't remember the name of the lake, but she recounted the times that she and my grandmother had shared at that lake. We talked about the days my family used to spend in the White Mountains of NH. One of my favorite photos was one my Mom took of me when I was sixteen overlooking Mount Chocorua.
Mom also told me about her favorite song of all time. It was Ripple, written by Robert Hunter and performed by Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead. It was a rather odd song to be the favorite for an 82 year old conservative, traditional mother of five children, but she insisted that I check out the lyrics for myself. She told me that after she died, I would know she was around when I heard the song Ripple. She knew I was open to that sort of communication. We pinky promised, and as we did, we both shed some tears. We both knew that she was preparing to leave her earthly life. I added Ripple to the playlist I made for her while she spent her last days in the Tidewell Hospice House in Bradenton, Florida. I was with Mom when she took her last breath. Ripple was playing ...
There is a road, no simple highway
Between the dawn and the dark of night
And if you go no one may follow
That path is for your steps alone.
I stayed in Florida to help my Dad get settled into his new normal and plan Mom's Celebration of Life. The morning after Mom passed, I found myself cleaning up the bookshelf near the recliner where she sat. I found a sheet of paper lying on top of a pile of old mail, sales flyers and coupons where Mom sat, until the afternoon she left home for the last time. On that sheet of paper were the lyrics of the song Ripple. I got goosebumps and could feel Mom's presence.
A few days later, I was going through a box of old family photos. Buried deep in the box was an yellowed envelope filled with old black and white photos. I had never seen any of these photos. I was drawn to a picture of a young girl sitting by a lake. Scrawled across the top was the following: "Silver Lake 1924". And then written in my mother's handwriting was the word "Mom". It took my breath away and I could feel chills run up my spine and across my neck. The photo was of my grandmother as a teenager. My Mom's mother. The picture was taken on the shore of Silver Lake, right near my house. That was the lake that my Mom couldn't remember the name of! That is the lake my house is on. Silver Lake. I showed the photo to an elderly local who told me exactly where the beach that my grandmother was sitting on in 1924. It turns out it was just around the corner from house I've lived in for the past four years. The house that was built in 1903, was standing in the village where my Mom had some of her favorite childhood memories. More goosebumps.
I closed on the house on June 1, 2018. On my way to the closing, my phone started playing the song Ripple all on it's own. I knew Mom was with me. After the closing, as I started getting ready to host guests and events at the house, I decided that the property needed to have a name. I was at a loss but something inside told me that I would know it when I heard it. I put out a request on Facebook asking friends to help me name the center. I had forgotten all about my grandmother's picture and the song and the mountain.
Here is what I posted on Facebook:
Many of you know me well. Some of you don't. But if you're here, perhaps you've been following my journey in some capacity and have picked up on my passion, my vision, my energy and how I show up in the world. I'd love your help!!!
I need a name for my new center. I have some ideas but nothing has captured my heart yet. Here are a few pictures of the property, some key words, some key components of what I see happening here and a description of the physical plan. If you are so inspired, please either post below or private message me whatever comes to mind or heart. Thanks in advance!
Key words:
connection, love, transformation, growth, community, retreat, authenticity, expanding human potential and capacity for love, curiosity, exploration and understanding
Key components/events:
community gatherings for conversations that matter, discussion groups, spiritual movie nights, themed dinners, yoga classes, workshops, talks, meetings. Multi day writers retreats, mastermind retreats, personal growth workshops. Maybe even a Victorian wedding or two! Massage therapy practice currently onsite.
Description of property:
Built in 1903 (as best we know) this spectacular property sits on Forrest Brook with water views and deep water access to Silver Lake. Finished barn serves as a yoga studio and easily converts to workshop/gathering space seating 24 theater style for workshops/classes.
The old hayloft now serves as the owners apartment. That's where I live. The huge windows, light and sunrise/sunset views soothe my spirit on a daily basis! Massage therapy suite onsite. Huge deck and lovely outdoor brook front space for outdoor events.
Main guest house has 4 bedrooms each with private bath. Common space includes kitchen, dining room and lake view sitting room. Sunrise and sunset views from indoor and outdoor spots. Wrap around porch with screened in section.
Also, Delilah, our official canine greeter, and Leah and Sylvester, my cats that watch over my space, add some wonderful energy and hilarious antics to an already amazing place.
And ... yes ... it's haunted by two very sweet spirits who seem to be happy with the new owner.
Something that I think is important to know:
When I closed on the house, I had a punch list of things to check out and get estimates on including the roof, electrical, plumbing, grounds, airBNB listings ... the list goes on and on. I've had people come out to give me their opinions/assessment/estimates. What I didn't realize was that many of the workforce in the valley are kids (or families) that I have served through my nonprofit work. More than once I've been refused a bill for services rendered. I'm told that it's finally time for me to be paid back for some of what I've done for others. So a couple of other key words/concepts that come to mind about the essence of this property is co-creation, delightful surprises, immense gratitude and heartwarming tears.
And one last amazing thing that makes me know this was all meant to be:
My Mom died in September. When I was getting ready for her memorial service, I went through some old family photos, several of which I had never seen. Over the years my Mom used to talk about summering on a lake in NH, a place she loved and that was an annual part of her family history, but she couldn't recall the name of it. I came across an envelope of very old black and white photos. Buried among them was a picture titled "Mom Silver Lake 1924". It is a picture of my grandmother at 16 on the beach on Silver Lake, the very lake my center overlooks.
I got well over two hundred suggestions from friends, family and people I didn't even know. The name I chose was Ripple on Silver Lake. It was suggested by my cousin John after my Mom's favorite song. Ripple by the Grateful Dead. I got goosebumps. I felt the hair on my neck stand on end. Immediately, I knew that was it. Of course it was. It was perfect. Tears streamed down my face. I could hear my Mom singing the song just as she had done for the last time before she died. I could hear her speak her last words. "Only love. Only love. Only love. You will know I'm with you when you hear Ripple." My heart was full ... and in that moment, I knew what the name needed to be.
Ripple on Silver Lake.
Clearly Mom is around supporting my dream as it comes alive. When you visit, you will feel her presence in the light and love that fills the space. If you listen to the lyrics of the song Ripple, you can hear the messages of solitude and connection, of light and dark, of learning and growing, of each of us needing to follow our own journey, our own song, of leading and following, and of the spirit that guides us along the way. Sending a ripple out into the world.
It's a perfect summary of the message of Mom's life and her love for all of us. It's the perfect name to represent what will happen here. And the song is the perfect way to remember that although we each are on our own path, we are all connected in ways that may not always fully grasp.
Listen for yourself here.
ADDENDUM:
Recently I was doing errands around town ... post office, hardware store, etc. I ran into a sweet elderly woman and we started to chat. Eventually it came out that I was the person who bought the big yellow house. She exclaimed, "You must be Trish!" And continued, "My friend told me you're nice and you'll be doing good things there. I'm so happy you bought it. I love that house. It has good memories for me. Way back when I was young, my mother and I used to walk there from the lake. They used to serve ice cream in your parlor, you know. My Mom and I used to walk from our lake house to your parlor after dinner or ice cream in the summer."
I smiled at the thought of my house being the local ice cream parlor. Those of you who know me know that ice cream is my favorite food. My thoughts wandered. Perhaps I could transform the shed into an ice cream shop! Lately I've been waking up with thought of serving ice cream in the summer. Interesting ...
Then it hit me! "Thank you for sharing that story with me. Do you mind if I ask how old you are?" I asked. "I am 83," She answered.
More goosebumps.
My Mom would have also been 83. At the same time this woman was enjoying her ice cream with her Mom, I'll bet my Mom was enjoying her ice cream with her Mom, her siblings and my Great Grandma Henry.
No wonder I can feel Mom here with me as I take each step along this magical adventure! Covid has supercharged my passion for creating a place for people to gather and feel joy. A workplace and culture based on the principles I teach in my classes and workshops.
What's in a name? Goosebumps. Memories. Connection. So much love. And a sudden craving for ice cream ...
In her final days, Mom shared her favorite memories of where she felt love the most and she shared who she was with. There were many people and many places. One of her favorite memories were made on a lake she used to go to as a child. She told me that a trip to the lake had been a yearly tradition for both her family and her mother's family as children. Mom couldn't remember the name of the lake, but she recounted the times that she and my grandmother had shared at that lake. We talked about the days my family used to spend in the White Mountains of NH. One of my favorite photos was one my Mom took of me when I was sixteen overlooking Mount Chocorua.
Mom also told me about her favorite song of all time. It was Ripple, written by Robert Hunter and performed by Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead. It was a rather odd song to be the favorite for an 82 year old conservative, traditional mother of five children, but she insisted that I check out the lyrics for myself. She told me that after she died, I would know she was around when I heard the song Ripple. She knew I was open to that sort of communication. We pinky promised, and as we did, we both shed some tears. We both knew that she was preparing to leave her earthly life. I added Ripple to the playlist I made for her while she spent her last days in the Tidewell Hospice House in Bradenton, Florida. I was with Mom when she took her last breath. Ripple was playing ...
There is a road, no simple highway
Between the dawn and the dark of night
And if you go no one may follow
That path is for your steps alone.
I stayed in Florida to help my Dad get settled into his new normal and plan Mom's Celebration of Life. The morning after Mom passed, I found myself cleaning up the bookshelf near the recliner where she sat. I found a sheet of paper lying on top of a pile of old mail, sales flyers and coupons where Mom sat, until the afternoon she left home for the last time. On that sheet of paper were the lyrics of the song Ripple. I got goosebumps and could feel Mom's presence.
A few days later, I was going through a box of old family photos. Buried deep in the box was an yellowed envelope filled with old black and white photos. I had never seen any of these photos. I was drawn to a picture of a young girl sitting by a lake. Scrawled across the top was the following: "Silver Lake 1924". And then written in my mother's handwriting was the word "Mom". It took my breath away and I could feel chills run up my spine and across my neck. The photo was of my grandmother as a teenager. My Mom's mother. The picture was taken on the shore of Silver Lake, right near my house. That was the lake that my Mom couldn't remember the name of! That is the lake my house is on. Silver Lake. I showed the photo to an elderly local who told me exactly where the beach that my grandmother was sitting on in 1924. It turns out it was just around the corner from house I've lived in for the past four years. The house that was built in 1903, was standing in the village where my Mom had some of her favorite childhood memories. More goosebumps.
I closed on the house on June 1, 2018. On my way to the closing, my phone started playing the song Ripple all on it's own. I knew Mom was with me. After the closing, as I started getting ready to host guests and events at the house, I decided that the property needed to have a name. I was at a loss but something inside told me that I would know it when I heard it. I put out a request on Facebook asking friends to help me name the center. I had forgotten all about my grandmother's picture and the song and the mountain.
Here is what I posted on Facebook:
Many of you know me well. Some of you don't. But if you're here, perhaps you've been following my journey in some capacity and have picked up on my passion, my vision, my energy and how I show up in the world. I'd love your help!!!
I need a name for my new center. I have some ideas but nothing has captured my heart yet. Here are a few pictures of the property, some key words, some key components of what I see happening here and a description of the physical plan. If you are so inspired, please either post below or private message me whatever comes to mind or heart. Thanks in advance!
Key words:
connection, love, transformation, growth, community, retreat, authenticity, expanding human potential and capacity for love, curiosity, exploration and understanding
Key components/events:
community gatherings for conversations that matter, discussion groups, spiritual movie nights, themed dinners, yoga classes, workshops, talks, meetings. Multi day writers retreats, mastermind retreats, personal growth workshops. Maybe even a Victorian wedding or two! Massage therapy practice currently onsite.
Description of property:
Built in 1903 (as best we know) this spectacular property sits on Forrest Brook with water views and deep water access to Silver Lake. Finished barn serves as a yoga studio and easily converts to workshop/gathering space seating 24 theater style for workshops/classes.
The old hayloft now serves as the owners apartment. That's where I live. The huge windows, light and sunrise/sunset views soothe my spirit on a daily basis! Massage therapy suite onsite. Huge deck and lovely outdoor brook front space for outdoor events.
Main guest house has 4 bedrooms each with private bath. Common space includes kitchen, dining room and lake view sitting room. Sunrise and sunset views from indoor and outdoor spots. Wrap around porch with screened in section.
Also, Delilah, our official canine greeter, and Leah and Sylvester, my cats that watch over my space, add some wonderful energy and hilarious antics to an already amazing place.
And ... yes ... it's haunted by two very sweet spirits who seem to be happy with the new owner.
Something that I think is important to know:
When I closed on the house, I had a punch list of things to check out and get estimates on including the roof, electrical, plumbing, grounds, airBNB listings ... the list goes on and on. I've had people come out to give me their opinions/assessment/estimates. What I didn't realize was that many of the workforce in the valley are kids (or families) that I have served through my nonprofit work. More than once I've been refused a bill for services rendered. I'm told that it's finally time for me to be paid back for some of what I've done for others. So a couple of other key words/concepts that come to mind about the essence of this property is co-creation, delightful surprises, immense gratitude and heartwarming tears.
And one last amazing thing that makes me know this was all meant to be:
My Mom died in September. When I was getting ready for her memorial service, I went through some old family photos, several of which I had never seen. Over the years my Mom used to talk about summering on a lake in NH, a place she loved and that was an annual part of her family history, but she couldn't recall the name of it. I came across an envelope of very old black and white photos. Buried among them was a picture titled "Mom Silver Lake 1924". It is a picture of my grandmother at 16 on the beach on Silver Lake, the very lake my center overlooks.
I got well over two hundred suggestions from friends, family and people I didn't even know. The name I chose was Ripple on Silver Lake. It was suggested by my cousin John after my Mom's favorite song. Ripple by the Grateful Dead. I got goosebumps. I felt the hair on my neck stand on end. Immediately, I knew that was it. Of course it was. It was perfect. Tears streamed down my face. I could hear my Mom singing the song just as she had done for the last time before she died. I could hear her speak her last words. "Only love. Only love. Only love. You will know I'm with you when you hear Ripple." My heart was full ... and in that moment, I knew what the name needed to be.
Ripple on Silver Lake.
Clearly Mom is around supporting my dream as it comes alive. When you visit, you will feel her presence in the light and love that fills the space. If you listen to the lyrics of the song Ripple, you can hear the messages of solitude and connection, of light and dark, of learning and growing, of each of us needing to follow our own journey, our own song, of leading and following, and of the spirit that guides us along the way. Sending a ripple out into the world.
It's a perfect summary of the message of Mom's life and her love for all of us. It's the perfect name to represent what will happen here. And the song is the perfect way to remember that although we each are on our own path, we are all connected in ways that may not always fully grasp.
Listen for yourself here.
ADDENDUM:
Recently I was doing errands around town ... post office, hardware store, etc. I ran into a sweet elderly woman and we started to chat. Eventually it came out that I was the person who bought the big yellow house. She exclaimed, "You must be Trish!" And continued, "My friend told me you're nice and you'll be doing good things there. I'm so happy you bought it. I love that house. It has good memories for me. Way back when I was young, my mother and I used to walk there from the lake. They used to serve ice cream in your parlor, you know. My Mom and I used to walk from our lake house to your parlor after dinner or ice cream in the summer."
I smiled at the thought of my house being the local ice cream parlor. Those of you who know me know that ice cream is my favorite food. My thoughts wandered. Perhaps I could transform the shed into an ice cream shop! Lately I've been waking up with thought of serving ice cream in the summer. Interesting ...
Then it hit me! "Thank you for sharing that story with me. Do you mind if I ask how old you are?" I asked. "I am 83," She answered.
More goosebumps.
My Mom would have also been 83. At the same time this woman was enjoying her ice cream with her Mom, I'll bet my Mom was enjoying her ice cream with her Mom, her siblings and my Great Grandma Henry.
No wonder I can feel Mom here with me as I take each step along this magical adventure! Covid has supercharged my passion for creating a place for people to gather and feel joy. A workplace and culture based on the principles I teach in my classes and workshops.
What's in a name? Goosebumps. Memories. Connection. So much love. And a sudden craving for ice cream ...
My grandmother Alice Day
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My Mom, Ann Day at high school graduation.
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Mom at my brother's wedding
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One of my favorites
