Stormy Night At The Lilac Lighthouse: Sleepy Journey

Drift away to the soothing sounds of an early summer storm with this rainy sleep story for grown-ups.

You're listening to Stormy Night at the Lilac Lighthouse,

A cozy bedtime tale set on a magical island in Nova Scotia,

Lush with fragrant lilacs as a thunderstorm rolls in.

Find safe refuge in an elegant,

Timeless lighthouse,

A place of peace with its own heartwarming story.

Cassidy,

The kind owner,

Has created a living legacy here to honor her beloved grandmother,

Betty.

Spend the afternoon exploring breathtaking lilac gardens as the sea kisses the shore.

As dusk deepens,

Share a sunset meal with Cassidy and other guests and her cat overlooking the ocean.

As a powerful summer system rolls in,

You find yourself in the lighthouse tower's lantern room,

Watching the storm unleash its fury.

As the rain arrives,

You snuggle in cozy quarters as the soothing scents of lilacs,

Sea,

And rain join the drumming drops and distant thunder to lull you into a deep,

Healing sleep.

It's time to dream away.

Welcome to Michelle's Sanctuary.

I'm Michelle,

Your guide to places real and imagined.

As you listen,

Think of me as your trusted sidekick and longtime friend who always encourages you to take care of yourself.

Celebrate making it through another day in this life by honoring this time for deep rest and peace.

My voice will only bring us to beautiful places,

With the fluidity and freedom of a dream.

Personalize anything in the story to fit your individual needs right now.

And feel free to give in to the sleepy waves of bliss whenever you desire and fall asleep.

My inspiration for the lilac lighthouse comes from my grandmother,

Who helped raise me for the first 8 years of my life.

Elegant and poised,

She came from an incredibly difficult background,

And instilled in me a love of travel.

She taught me how to read.

She encouraged me to follow my dreams and welcomed my creativity.

During the summers of my youth,

I'd spend hours in her of a chestnut tree.

It only takes one encouraging voice to change the trajectory of a life,

And her voice is one that has stayed with me during all the pivots and changes throughout life.

She taught me how to find beauty in the ugly,

Ease in the difficult,

And hope in the hopeless.

And it's my constant hope the sanctuary does the very same for you.

Before we begin,

We're going to take a few moments to enjoy some relaxing breaths together and set the tone for the night ahead.

Release a sigh to clear the air,

Making a soft sound as you exhale.

Then sip in the air slowly,

Imagining the briny,

Crisp scent of Atlantic Ocean spray mingling with the sweet perfume of blooming lilacs from the island's abundant gardens.

Your space transforms,

Taking on the cozy qualities of a perfect island retreat.

As the ocean breeze whispers through an open window,

Let out a long,

Gentle sigh,

Releasing any lingering thoughts.

Appreciate this holiday of the mind,

Curated for you,

As you settle and your body relaxes.

Continue to inhale,

Maybe yawn and sigh,

However you wish,

As I count us down.

Each breath serves to bring you closer to bone-deep peace.

Inhale slowly and deeply through your nose,

Connecting with the tranquil remoteness of Nyland as the tide comes in.

Four,

A deep sense of gratitude washes over you,

Four,

As you appreciate the serene solitude of your lilac lighthouse haven,

Allowing your mind to quiet a little bit more.

Three,

A wave of profound comfort and warmth spreads through you,

Four,

Feeling utterly safe and nurtured,

Tended to with maternal and grandmotherly love.

Two,

Your muscles soften,

Your face relaxes,

And you find it effortless to surrender to the slow,

Easy tempo.

One,

All thoughts and concerns clear,

To create the space in your imagination,

To revel in the simple wonders of this storied place,

As you inhale,

Yawn and sigh one last time.

When you feel ready,

Your breath returns to an easy,

Natural rhythm,

As we venture to Nova Scotia and tonight's sleepy tale.

The love from a grandmother is distinct from a mother's.

It can be more indulgent,

More patient,

And more understanding of the fleeting essence of time.

A gift that often brings the wisdom of no longer sweating the small stuff.

Cassidy was raised on the mainland of Canada by her grandmother Betty,

A true force of nature.

Elegant and poised,

Betty packed a small suitcase and ventured to Hollywood during the height of musical productions,

Dreaming of a life as a dancer.

But fate had other plans,

And within a year,

She found herself back in St.

John.

She soon married and became a mother to Cassidy's mother,

Though her passion for dance never faded.

She opened a small dance studio,

A place both her child and grandchild would eventually attend.

Betty knew that having a dream was important,

But learning to dream a new dream when the sails of life changed was even more vital.

Decades later,

After many unexpected turns,

Betty found herself raising her granddaughter Cassidy.

She instilled a profound sense of resilience in the little girl.

Betty nurtured Cassidy's spirit with adventures,

Including an annual summer cruise around the islands of Nova Scotia.

During these voyages,

Betty often spoke of the profound beauty of a small,

Unnamed island,

Where the beam of an old lighthouse tower would cut through the darkest nights.

A powerful beacon of hope.

A constant gardener,

Betty would often remark that her dream was to fill that rugged island with lilacs.

Light purple was her signature color,

Gracing everything from her silk blouses to her pressed linen pants,

From elegant vintage chiffon scarves to her very sensible shoes.

To any other passenger on the boat that day,

Such a whimsical daydream spoken aloud would be just that,

A fleeting thought.

But Cassidy was merely five at the time,

And her grandmother's visions were just as real to her as starting school in the fall.

That particular vision of a lilac-filled island with its guiding light remained gently tucked within her mind for two decades.

Twenty years later,

A rare opportunity arose,

An auction for the very lighthouse and island Betty had so often admired.

Drawing upon her grandmother's inheritance,

Cassidy acted fast and knew on a soul level that this was her destiny.

She became the winning bidder at a remarkably low price,

Ready to fulfill that long-ago vision.

Years of dedicated renovations followed,

Transforming the weathered structure.

Finally,

The doors to the lilac lighthouse opened to its first guests,

And the entire island became a protected historical preserve,

A testament to a grandmother's daydream.

And a granddaughter's enduring love.

Your journey to the lilac lighthouse has been a long one,

Not just across the water,

But an unexpected trail of research and discovery.

You first learned about the lilac lighthouse when you stumbled upon a painting,

An exquisite rendering of a serene island with a graceful ivory lighthouse tower with winding lilacs and painted from its base to its beacon of light.

You gazed at it for some time,

Wondering if such an enchanting place could truly exist beyond the canvas.

Driven by a hopeful curiosity,

You began to research and do your astonishment.

Your search led you to the lilac lighthouse's booking page.

The modest space has limited availability,

But somehow the timing aligned perfectly.

And now,

Here you are,

On a water taxi slicing through the calm blue expanse,

Carrying you closer to the island.

The sun,

A sparkling white gold beacon in the cornflower blue sky,

Melts into the thick,

Humid air,

Which is delightfully chilled by the occasional spray of the sea.

As the taxi glides towards the quaint white dock,

A figure emerges,

Waiting to greet you.

It's Cassidy,

Standing alongside a plump,

Demure,

Long-haired cat,

A swirl of white and silver that sits regally at her feet.

Cassidy herself is an ethereal vision,

Wearing a long lilac floral cotton dress with a sweetheart neckline.

A style that feels wonderfully timeless,

As if plucked from another era.

A beam of gilded sunlight forms a halo around her hair,

Half up in a braid crown as the rest flows down her back.

The sparkling sapphire water and lilac bushes beyond frame her like the technicolor dream of an old Hollywood musical,

A world her grandmother Betty had once yearned to be a part of and was for a short spell.

As you disembark,

The intoxicating scent of lilac fills your nose,

Carried on the humid ocean breeze with the slightest hint of brininess.

A winding,

Silvery-white gravel path snakes its way up a small hill as an astonishing abundance of lilacs lies around it like protective gates.

The lilacs are in full,

Glorious bloom,

Their myriad shades of purple and violet,

A vibrant and fragrant welcome.

The cat,

As if on cue,

Darts ahead,

Pausing only to trill and swat at a velvety bumblebee.

That flits over the path and lands on a petal.

Cassidy introduces herself and her fancy-footed feline,

Audrey,

Who leads the way with a playful swish of a fluffy tail.

Cassidy extends a warm smile and offers you a cool,

Vintage glass bottle of fresh,

Sparkling lemonade.

The condensation cools your hand as you take a sip,

Feeling the carbonation and acidity as your mouth waters,

And you are instantly refreshed.

The lilac bushes open up to reveal a grassy knoll that leads to the lighthouse.

Dozens of lilac shrubs surround the base of the ivory tower.

Its smooth surface is hand-painted with delicate lilac blooms that wind gracefully around it,

Spiraling all the way to the very top.

Cassidy explains that she used to paint ceramics together with her grandmother during the long,

Dark Canadian winters.

Her voice softens with pride as she reveals that many of the lamps inside were painted by her grandmother.

Reaching the lighthouse,

Cassidy offers to take your bag directly to your room,

Inviting you to settle in and explore the vibrant grounds at your leisure.

She suggests meeting her in the white gazebo at sunset for dinner,

Where other guests will be joining her.

The only other guests right now are a young couple from Boston,

Fresh out of law school and enjoying a quick retreat before their demanding summer associate positions begin.

The final guest is a book editor,

Currently immersed in a thrilling new novel for a best-selling author that she has promised to secrecy,

But Cassidy hints that he might reveal it at dinner.

You hand off your small navy weekender bag and thank her,

Taking the lemonade with you on your island rendezvous.

Audrey races across the emerald lawn in a fluffy flash.

You walk a path along the shoreline first.

The pebbles and stones clicking and clacking beneath your feet.

Rose bushes burst with fragrant blooms,

Their fluttering pink and fuchsia petals kissed by the sea air.

You wander beneath a canopy of conifers that lead to a secret fairy garden,

Tended to by children who have visited over the years.

Small benches in the shade lead to a tree swing amidst more lilac bushes,

Perfectly positioned to overlook the vast expanse of the ocean.

Settling into its gentle rhythm,

You watch the waves roll in,

Thinking of Betty's dreams.

One by one leaving an impression and stirring dreams in others.

Before arriving,

You read many articles and interviews with Cassidy over the years.

And even her loving portrayal of the island does little to capture the unforgettable beauty you experience on this leisurely afternoon.

And now,

As time seems to stretch and soften before you,

You get to enjoy Betty's long-ago reverie.

Swept up in the serene magic of the island,

You lose track of time until Audrey the cat emerges,

As if to summon you to dinner.

You rise and stretch her arms overhead,

As if it's the first stretch of the morning,

Feeling renewed to the core.

You take a shortcut back,

The lighthouse tower,

High above the canopy of trees,

Visible all the way.

As the sun descends toward the horizon,

Painting the sky in hues of fiery orange and magenta,

You find your way to the white gazebo,

Nestled just beyond the lighthouse.

A rustic white farmhouse table is adorned with crystal vases,

Overflowing with freshly cut lilacs,

And a billowing lavender cheesecloth table runner.

An antique cantaloupe sits in the center,

Surrounded by a light meal,

Clearly harvested fresh from the island's greenhouse.

Salads and grilled items fill wooden bowls and platters.

You join the other guests in Cassidy,

And they welcome you with big smiles and kind eyes.

The gentle murmur of conversation blends with the persistent soundtrack of the waves lapping against the shore.

The air is filled with comfortable camaraderie,

The shared tranquility of this unique haven,

Making strangers feel like friends,

As the first stars begin to prickle the twilight sky.

Once more,

You think of Betty,

And how all of you have come together from such different walks of life to enjoy this perfect alfresco meal with her granddaughter.

A dramatic shift begins on the horizon.

From the west,

Colossal storm clouds emerge,

Rolling in with an undeniable force.

Deep purples and bruised grays swirl together in their underbellies,

While their cottony tops take on the hue of lilacs.

They sweep across the sky and swallow the twilight blues that faint as stars.

The air,

Still holding the day's warmth,

Suddenly takes on a new coolness,

Carrying a fresh,

Mineral scent.

The promise of rain looks like Mother Nature has different plans for the evening.

Cassidy smiles,

Already moving with grace to clear the outdoor table,

Wrapping runners around dishes to form impromptu sacks.

There's a flurry of activity as everyone pitches in,

A shared sense of fun and anticipation in the air.

Just as the last dish and candelabra are whisked inside,

The first fat,

Heavy drops begin to fall,

Splattering loudly on the gazebo roof.

Everyone dashes playfully across the lawn,

Seeking shelter as Audrey sits with authority on the covered porch that wraps around the lighthouse.

A collective gasp of delight and a few good-natured laughs ripple through the small group.

As the rain intensifies,

You assemble in the open concept kitchen,

Helping to clean and set things away.

Cassidy insists you should all just relax,

But there's a familial spirit in the way everyone helps out.

Once the kitchen is returned to rights,

The other guests bid their goodnights,

Retreating to the comfort of their individual suites,

Leaving you and Cassidy bathed in the soft glow of the lighthouse's interior.

Come with me,

Cassidy invites,

Her eyes bright with the excitement of the brewing storm.

She leads you higher and higher,

Up the light purple,

Winding stairs to the lantern room,

The very top of the lighthouse.

The air up here crackles with energy.

You press against the thick glass,

Mesmerized.

The sheer force of the storm's approach is breathtaking.

Lightning flashes in jagged streaks across the vast expanse of the sky,

Illuminating the churning ocean below in stark,

Fleeting brilliance.

A moment later,

The deep,

Resonating thunder rumbles.

A drumbeat that vibrates softly through the very bones of the lighthouse.

The horizon lights up with otherworldly purples and blues as each lightning strike momentarily paints the tumultuous scene.

Cassidy's voice is steady,

A calm anchor against the storm's wild song.

As she explains that Nova Scotia is home to over 150 lighthouses,

This one,

She says,

Decommissioned decades ago,

Once guided countless lives home,

Including the sailboat of a young man and his father.

She expresses that even though the lighthouse is no longer needed as it once was,

She hopes the vibrant lilac theme will be a different source of light and inspiration to those who pass by,

Just as she once did with her grandmother as a little girl.

You stand with Cassidy in silence for a few more moments,

Lost in the mesmerizing play of the lightning and waves as the ocean reflects the flashes of light,

Doubling their beauty.

Cassidy smiles and sighs as she says,

Isn't it quite amazing to exist in the same world as a storm this beautiful?

All storms may be beautiful from the comforts of a dwelling like this,

Where you may safely hunker down for the night.

And in the lilac lighthouse,

You feel as safe as you have ever felt.

Cassidy offers to lead you down to the main floor,

Once more winding around the purple spiral stairs.

The spacious guest suites,

Added in a seamless extension to the original lighthouse structure,

Offer a comforting retreat.

Cassidy leads you to your haven for the night,

A beautifully themed lilac suite.

The light from the hallway spills in,

Illuminating white ceramic lamps with delicate hand-painted coastal scenes,

Abundant with lilacs on their bases.

On the bed,

An embroidered quilted blanket,

Also adorned with subtle lilac patterns,

Promises warmth as the temperatures drop tonight.

Your gaze drifts to a frayed,

Glamorous black-and-white photo of Betty,

Poised elegantly in a silk gown on a stage,

Living out a small piece of her Hollywood dreams.

You thank her for such a lovely start to summer,

Grateful for all she has shared and all she has created.

She smiles in return,

Letting you know she's available if you need anything tonight.

She quietly disappears,

Leaving you in the solace of your suite.

You step into the en-suite bathroom,

Turning on the shower in an old clawfoot tub.

The water is warm,

And you step beneath it and reach for the homemade oatmeal and lilac salt.

The lather is rich and soothing,

A creamy caress on your skin.

As you cleanse,

The rain outside patters rhythmically against the mullioned windows,

Each drop releasing the faint,

Sweet perfume of lilacs as they land on the petals just beyond the pane.

Once clean and refreshed,

You step outside and towel off and change into pajamas.

You pad back to the bed and pull back the soft quilted blanket and snuggle beneath it with a favorite book.

The rhythmic sounds of the storm become quite hypnotic,

And the cozy warmth within is a comforting embrace.

You read for some time and your eyes grow heavy,

The words on the page blurring softly.

You fight sleep for a few moments,

Aiming to push through another page or two.

But tiredness wins,

And you reach out to turn off the light and close your eyes.

Your body feels delightfully tired and fulfilled as you sink into a mattress,

So supportive yet giving that it feels custom-made for you.

Visions of Lilac Island flash before your mind's eye.

The vibrant purple hues,

The elegant lighthouse,

The dramatic storm,

An uplifting thought stirs.

How a single dream held dear by a grandmother could create so many new dreams in its wake.

As the mighty ocean waves approach the shores,

The gentle waves of sleep softly tug at you,

Welcoming you to their comforting embrace.

As you surrender completely to their depths,

Finding comfort,

Finding peace,

Finding bliss,

Finding sleep.

It's a beautiful dream.