This past week, I decided to take a few days off and get away
from the grind. Like most people, I really do have to
”
get away.
”
I cannot relax and enjoy a break unless I leave behind the work,
worries and wanting.
This past week, I decided to take a few days off and get away from the grind. Like most people, I really do have to “get away.” I cannot relax and enjoy a break unless I leave behind the work, worries and wanting.
Some families that have traditionally vacationed in Lake Shasta each summer invited me to join them for a few days. This was not the first time I was invited to join this group. The first time, three priests from the local area were also invited. We decided to carpool up together and split the cost of our houseboat.
Do you remember “Sesame Street” with that educational skit about “which one of these things doesn’t belong?” Well, I experienced that a few times. See if you get the answers correct:
1. Three devout spiritual individuals who lead by example, sharing quarters with one long-haired heathen.
2. When we pulled our houseboat (really a raft with a shack on it) into the secluded cove with these luxurious, well-manicured houseboats, I felt the need for compensation like never before.
3. Finally, boats filled with tanned, healthy bodies and my skinny, alabaster body.
Not stumped for answers, are you?
Some of my hosts joked that this year, the “Wine Guy” should bring up some wine for all to enjoy. I thought to myself, “Great. I’ll bring up some bottles and dazzle them all with my wit and wisdom.”
I envisioned combining the food that was being prepared during the trip with the wine I was going to bring. Throw in some great outdoors, and I would have the ingredients for a nice column.
It is amazing how things that are planned can change suddenly, often for the better. After spending some time with these families, the food and wine suddenly took a back seat. I felt compelled to do a new story, one that would pay homage to parenthood.
I am not a parent, so I have no practical experience in this area. Vicariously, I have seen how much work it takes.
Although the parents have fun on this yearly excursion, this trip is obviously done for the benefit of the children.
Over and over again, I saw acts of duty and kindness that truly came from the heart. Power boats were constantly being fired up, ready to take out a group of children wake-boarding or tubing whenever asked.
I saw a father wake up with his daughter around 5am, just to check on some fishing lines that had been set the night before, all in the hope of being there to witness her first catch.
With no verbal communication, I watched as a mother tapped her son on his shoulder. He spun around, closed his eyes and pursed his lips. She reached into her bag and pulled out some sun block. With beautiful, caring hands, she started to apply the lotion on his face. Her son did not flinch or move until she was finished, only moving after she tapped him again, signaling he could resume his business.
Parents would let their children’s friends soak them with squirt guns. There was constant vigilance to make sure every child had plenty to eat and plenty of water to drink.
On my final day with the group, the entire houseboat party decided to navigate up one of the small fingers on the lake and set off on a hiking expedition. We had heard of some natural springs that were hidden in the recesses of the canyons.
After a nice 45-minute hike, we found what we were looking for – a natural spring, complete with a waterfall and wading pool!
Previous adventurers had left behind a rope in order to scale the face of the waterfall and allow folks to slide down a chute that had been formed in the rock wall, sending revelers into the water below.
One small girl, about 5 years old and the youngest on the trip, desperately wanted to the chance to slide herself. Her father was determined to make this happen.
He hoisted her onto his back, made sure she was safe and secure and proceeded to pull both of them up, numerous times. Not an easy task by any means. If you could have only seen the smile on her face – as bright as the sun reflecting off the water.
We all sat for a picnic lunch and soaked in the clean air and warmth of the day. As I rested on a rock in the shade, I realized something else. As parents, this is part of their everyday lives. Whether is it taking their children to school or soccer practices, helping them with their homework or the multitude of chores that provide shelter and security for their loved ones, parents deserve our praise. Some might say these are common acts. I call them heroic.
Raise your wine glasses and cheers to parents everywhere!
ahoo.com.
