My daughter Asherel agreed to kayak the rapids of the Catawba with me, to the world famous, rare Spider Lilies near Landsford Canal State Park. Since I had done this already on my own a couple of days before, I knew it was safe for my beloved girl, who is about to turn 18. (When did
that happen???) It was a thrill to kayak with her in the midst of such stunning beauty. She spontaneously stopped at a fallen tree across the river and scampered onto it.
She stopped at big rocks and meandered among the spider lilies. She reminded me of the little girl that I remembered...from just yesterday.
Meanwhile, the spider lilies are waning. As we kayaked close to them, I took time to cup one in my hand and smell it. The scent was faint, but lovely. The petals were browning and falling off. Just two days ago they were in full bloom! How could all that beauty be already fading?
We stopped and played on the rocks among the lilies. The water rushed by, tugging at the kayaks. It was clear that staying still for long was not an option. Petals swirled away in the wind, and the water rushed over the rocks, drawing us inexorably to journey's end.
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A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and
drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand
of God,
Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you
in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight
of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into
judgment.
For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
Note, how beautiful and sharp are your latest blog pix of the wonderful Lilies. For most people, amateur videos are a disaster. Motion pictures are meant for the camera to be locked down, with motion being that which is depicted. 99% of the videos I receive are worthless, unsharp and a waste of time. A few still pix beats them every time. I wish everyone who sends them would sit an see them before sending. And then didn't.
ReplyDeleteI include videos to bring my beloved folks along on the journey, since they can no longer hop in a kayak...but they are the ones that got this kayak for me. I don't pretend they are of cinema quality, but they are precious for the travels they bring my parents on with me.
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