J is for... (2007-10-02)

… Joy.

(Originally posted on 2 October 2007.)

Friday evening, at the OMC retreat, I walked along the lakefront with Giggles as night settled, assisting in her quest for frogs. To my amazement, she spotted and caught three, despite the gathering dark. “Just look in the water and see how their eyes stick out,” she told me. Not much use to me, with my “fuzzy eyes.” But I couldn’t let on, could I… “Oh,” I responded, “is that how you spot them? Good for you!”

We took them to the lodge and showed a few friends. But – OOPS! – one hopped out of my hand and jumped vigourously around the tables and chairs, desperate for freedom. Giggles managed to recapture the little critter, and we took them back to the lakeshore and set them free.

Saturday’s questing was not so successful, but Sunday morning we walked to the Point along the lakeshore and caught two more. At the Point, Hoppy and Poppy took part in their first church service. One service may not have been quite sufficient to convert them, but afterwards we set them, too, free to rejoin their froggy mates and spread the Good News.

Following along the lakeshore with my girl up ahead, I could not help but feel a deep sense of joy and wonder. My love of the outdoors is shared and expanded by this child, and she takes me places – physically, emotionally, spiritually – I would not go alone. Perhaps, as she grows older and more capable, she (and Poppet, when he arrives) will draw me into even greater adventures…