Saturday, July 2, 2011

On the water

Yesterday started out on water, and ended on water.

A wise man once told me that one of the keys to success is kowing the people we serve. This advice has stood me in good stead, for human beings have a wonderful capacity to want to share their lives with others who are genuinely interested in them.  We all cultivate relationships of varying levels: there are some people we greet each day but could never mention their names, and there are others who know us better than we know ourselves (it would seem) ... and all manner of levels in between.

As it happens, I began Canada Day in the company of one family, spending some leisure time with them.  A part of this day was spent in a boat, skimming across the water, and observing life which seemed to be just awakening around the lake, despite the fact that it was closer to mid-day than to dawn.

There is a certain magic that seems to cement those who sit around a common table to share a common meal, so when we returned to terra firma we spent the rest of the 'day' together sitting around the table, sharing conversation and sustenance.  For all of it, I for one am thankful.

As it turns out, I left that oasis in the latter part of the afternoon in order to conduct a rehearsal for the wedding that will take place later today, and once the practice was complete, we (the entire gathered group of friends and relatives) then migrated to the after party.  This gathering too took place on water (at least on the shore of a lake), and as the evening wore on, plans were made to embark in two boats in time for the annual display of fireworks (remember it's the National Day of Canada).


They happen every year (the fireworks) but not everyone is afforded an opportunity to view them from the middle of the lake.  This was a special gift indeed, and a fitting way to end the day.

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