Gifts in the Quiet: A Duluth Getaway

Continuing my journey to 1,000 gifts – Week 2

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights...” — James 1:17

Last week, I shared how I dusted off my copy of One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp and started counting. This week, the list kept growing — not because life slowed down, but because I did.

My husband had a work trip, and he let me tag along — to one of my favorite places, Duluth. We stayed right in Canal Park, and for a couple of days, life felt easier. No kids, no responsibilities. Just gifts.

One of the first? The drive. Almost three hours each way with my husband — no interruptions, just conversation. Those kinds of windows are rare in this season of life, and I appreciated every mile.

Our room had a lake view, and to top it off, it was the week of the Festival of Sail — when tall ships glide into the harbor and the whole scene looks straight out of Pirates of the Caribbean. I enjoyed coffee from our balcony and watched the sails drift by — ships and stillness, right outside our window. That balcony was a definite gift. Because while I love my people, I need breaks from peopling. The view gave me both perspective and breathing room.

And of course, if I’m in Duluth, I have to run. I set out planning for four miles along the lakewalk but veered through Canal Park instead. Good thing — lightning, thunder, and rain rolled in, and I ended up finishing the run on the treadmill. Sometimes even redirections feel like a gift.

But the highlight of my Duluth time? Unexpectedly, it was watching the USA Dive Team practice. I knew it was part of the festival and decided to explore in hopes of catching a glimpse. Better than a glimpse, I snagged a seat with a perfect view of their 66-foot platform. Watching those athletes launch into the air without fear — it was incredible. Inspiring!

And my perfect seat? Right next to two “pirates.” Okay, not real ones — but fully dressed for the Festival of Sail. With tall ships in the background, friendly strangers beside me, and an open chair in the middle of the crowd, it felt almost like a storybook. Even with thousands of people, I found peace.

There were evening walks with my husband. A full moon over Lake Superior. One night, we even dressed up for an awards banquet. Small things, but seen through a grateful lens.

It’s easier to notice these gifts when life is going well, when the distractions are fewer. But as I head back into reality, with its noise and pace and messiness, I want to keep looking. Because the gifts are still there.

Challenge: How is your list coming?