BIRDS AND BEES, IGUANAS AND FROGS

   Bet you didn't know that we live in a paradise of nature. Every day we step outside our doors, rushing hither or thither, yon and beyond, and it is a wonder if we even notice the trees and grass. As for the live members of this paradise, well, we just wish them away.

    Perhaps we all need what Gerry and I have had these past few days. My baby, my son, has always has a different perspective on life. With his binoculars he takes walks around the village and returns home aglow with the new birds he has spotted and the animal life that abounds here. 

    This my son, the athlete. A well regarded and sought after counselor, he has a deep and abiding faith in the Lord above. With his eyes and faith he is always open to the wonders around him, even as we see pests and annoyances. He and his baby, my youngest grandson, spend at least an hour a night reviewing the videos and sightings, the souvenirs and the excitement of discoveries. Proof of the pudding? I now have the mother of all snail shells sitting in my home. Yuck for me but light in the eyes of these two babies. 

    Perhaps that is the answer to our miserable situation these days. Instead of seeing all around us with a jaundiced eye, we need to refocus and replay our daily videos. We need to reframe our ladder of values. We need to stop admiring the "clever" people who are again 'getting away' with it. We need to unveil the truths of life rather than accept the Big Lie. We need to seek and find the glories and gifts of a world to which and of which we have become blind.

    In short, we all need to become "the babies" of this world. We need to look around and see the positive rather than the negative. We need to rejoice in the diversities of life rather than demanding a lockstep uniformity. Yet even as we enjoy the natural beauties of the world, we must also be aware of alligators and water moccasins. In other words, be open to gifts and beauty while at the same time be aware of the darker side that awaits the unaware.

    So step out of your door today with new eyes, hearts and minds, Let us for one day, if only that,  let down our shoulders, ease that stiff neck and perhaps, just maybe, we can take a step further along on the right path. Ribbit and all that. Enjoy the world.