When life is hard and I’m getting pecked, make sure Petosky encircles my neck.
It’s not as sweet as Ruth’s favorite librarian who kept her in books and cookies, but my Petosky needs to be there. I haven’t been wearing it lately, because it doesn’t exactly match my pajama pants and T-shirts that have been glued on my body for almost ten months. I don’t go to in-person church, I don’t get to travel to see my grandchildren, I only go to Jewel to wait for my groceries, to Rehab windows, and finally now to my Dad’s condo. Only me and his caregivers are the lucky people to see him.
My Petosky is my Mo-Joe. I need it. I need it today when I meet a new caregiver. Another one bit the dust yesterday— fired by the organization. All of it makes my head turn at funny angles and my eyes drip with the unhappiness of it all
My Petosky? It’s my touch-stone because it reminds me of God’s love, my roots, my passion, my people, and how I need to keep on polishing every day.
Maybe your asking… “Why polishing?”
Petosky stones, glorious in the sparkling waters of Lake Superior are dull and ugly taken out of the waves of frigid water. They need to be polished with sandpaper or a rock tumbler to look glorious again.
In my life when I touch my stone it also reminds me that God is polishing, or sanctifying me continually. I should be looking more and more like Jesus every single day. No, I never will be perfect until heaven, but I need to continue to strive, continue to confess, give thanks, and worship moment to moment in my daily life.
Life is so jagged, there are so many ways to fail and fall. I need to look up and grab my Lord’s hand and hang on, pressing into his gentle but firm guidance as I navigate caregivers, groceries, and grief in all seasons.
He is my ultimate Petosky stone—the ROCK in which I stand.
love nanc xo
PS Thank you SOS girls, thank-you, Ruth! Your S.O.S. came in the nick of time for me.
Two years and finishing strong... 
It’s beautiful and so is your writing.
Thank you Dana, it is so good to be back and to hear your voice again
These lines spoke to me – “Petosky stones, glorious in the sparkling waters of Lake Superior are dull and ugly taken out of the waves of frigid water. They need to be polished with sandpaper or a rock tumbler to look glorious again.” I can see your stone at the bottom of the lake, and now I see it in all its glory around your neck – so beautiful.
I’m going to my Dad’s again today, yesterday was a nightmare, my hand was gripping my Petosky so hard several times I thought I broke the chain. Thank you for your comment
Magnificent stone, glorious connection – a powerful statement of faith. The word “touchstone” comes to mind, for the testing of precious metals by the mark they leave on a stone, and this: “You also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Christ Jesus” (1 Peter 2:5). I had not heard of a Petosky stone before reading your deeply-moving post. I will carry the image with me now – thank you for this gift!
Thank you so much. It is a gift to be writing this way again. Your comment touches my soul. Sometimes God leads us back to where our passions started and it gives me great joy. XO
Nanc, you are a jewel! I am so happy to read your words again and I hope to continue to do so. What an incredible stone! I had never heard of this stone. You have untapped strength. Hold on to your stone and your faith and you will weather this storm.
What a beautiful metaphor…I like thinking of you polishing your stone and God polishing you.
xo, ruth
This was so beautiful. I empathize so much with the need to have something tangible to hold and help you remember the work God is doing on us.
So very beautiful. So very moving.
I love this! Everyone need a Petosky stone! Everyone needs some polishing. Your words hit home – our circles are small these days, our faith is strong.
I think you should wear this stone with your PJs too. It’s powerful and makes each day special.
Where is the love button?!?!? Awesome. Thank you for sharing.