As I biked the perimeter of Mackinaw Island, I was struck by numerous stacked rocks.

There was something peaceful to me about them. With a tinge of haunting sadness. Or it could have been part of the gray, overcast day that added to that.

Regardless, it was fitting.

To be perfectly honest — I had no idea what they were at the time. But the more of them I saw, I began to think maybe a memorial of some kind. Or a giving of thanks.

Cairns.

There are many uses and representations of what a cairn is and the purpose it serves, from ceremonial to serving as markers.

Modern cairns,however,  “may be erected for historical or memorial commemoration or simply for decorative or artistic reason.”

I wanted to make my own. I had a number of ideas. One in honor of my grandmother, or just life in general … commemorating my life and those in it stone by stone.

But I was too rushed. One of my downfalls, I know.

Sometimes, I get in this mode. Where I’m so focused on the task at hand, that I allow little deviation.

Now is one of those times I wish I had stopped. Made one. It couldn’t have taken more than 20 minutes of my time. Yet, for some reason, I felt that there wasn’t a place or time for it at the time.

Why?

My only explanation is my own mind.

I’m sure some of you out there can relate.

While I don’t consider myself necessarily a “Type A” type, I do recognize that even I might be able to stop and slow down from time to time.

Questioning these time constraints and pressures we inadvertently place on ourselves.

Silly, really. A completely fabricated construction.

Next summer, when I’m back, pedaling my way around the Island, I have promised myself to go slower.

Take more time. Feel less rushed.

Actually. I’m going to try to put this into practice now.

No time like the present.