Gathering at "the Table"
Three of my favorites: Standup paddle boarding Herons Oil pastels
Finally, I got back out on the water again early this morning. All was pretty quiet the first half, no turtles, no eagles, no swans, nada. Zero. zip. Zilch. I was bummed. I was also low on energy; so a sure fire way to create energy in your cells is high intensity interval training. The beauty of “high” is that it is individualized. So I paddle my current “hard” level in counted spurts. I usually avoid this because it’s loud and scares away the wildlife. No wildlife to scare away this morning. Intensely, I paddle on. After almost getting caught on tentacling underwater plant life and a few deep breath prayers to refocus, I lift my eyes to the log ahead and spot a heron. I actually spotted him before he went squawking away! A small miracle. And he still doesn’t fly away. Shocking. I get to watch him fish for awhile as I give him space...and notice further ahead what I think is an eagle, so I press on and paddle further than planned.
No eagle. Are those seagulls on that giant felled tree? No. They’re white herons! My jaw drops. Ore, board, and body are motionless. I’ve never ever seen a white egret heron before here or anywhere for that matter. At their wood breakfast “table” the Great Blues gather, too! I count as some take off, scared by my distant presence. 10 total! Amazing!
Amazing grace. My spirit soars as I turn my board and paddle back. Heron #1 is still self-absorbed in finding breakfast and let’s me get relatively close again...for a heron. Before I realize it, I’m stuck in the middle of weblike submerged plants...again. Breathe. Pray. Breathe. Pray. At least cancer (and reading) has taught me a little more about managing stress. I get through the green tentacles. Originally, I wanted to take a narrow waterway path back, but the odds of more ensnaring plant life are very high. But...I am tired. Tired of fighting fear and sometimes being its captive. Sick of it. I would much rather be strong and courageous. So I turn off the wide beaten path. Before I know it, heron #12. Unbelievable!
I look down to the water below, on the lookout for plant tentacles, less than five feet away just under the surface a two foot fish that looks like a leopard. Are you kidding me, God?! This is far better than...a zoo?...Previous paddle boarding on this river?...Pancakes for breakfast? I don’t know what it is better than; but it was pretty amazing. I literally said out loud, “That was the icing on the cake!” When up ahead, three-yes, THREE more hidden herons squawk their irritated complaints and fly away. That’s 15!...In one morning! Pinch me; I must be dreaming. I round the last bend to my home stretch as heron #16 practically circles my head to find his new hunting spot. Meanwhile, I paddle past a mama duck and her four tiny babies feeding on algae. Cute overload. They are the icing on the cake. Herons have been significant on this cancer journey. Every trip to Chicago I would spot at least 2 herons somewhere along the drive. They were like my sign of assurance from God that He is going before me, carefully watching, providing and protecting His child. 16?! Pure joy. Pure protection. Pure provision. Pure blessings. Pure gratitude. “Many, O LORD are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; where I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare.” Psalm 40:5