At first glance you may think this post is
about Sisters, family love or loyal friends
Perhaps a beautiful Canadian sunset on Georgian Bay
And it was all that
and so much more
But then upon further visual investigation
you begin to see a narrative of
tenderness, adoration and memory making
Bonding, imprinting, spirituality
A lesson in nature
A quiet experience to recall in the future
It was a private, most certainly
A time between Father and Child
or Uncle and niece
or Brother and Sister
It was serene
It was a floating testament to love
We, the girls on the shore
Silhouetted in pink sunshine
melted
There were more oohs and ahhs
that drowned out the distance loon calls
We were mesmerized
We felt like peeping lake Toms
Shushing each other
and whispering ooey-gooey words
We actually could not believe
just how adorable and blissful
this on-the-water dance was
What was this 'Paddleboat Father' doing?
It was as though he was granting
his tiny Princess
some almost impossible wish
A request
and then....
a symphony of
GASPS
echoed across the rippled golden surface
we sighed in unison
Le Sigh
Oh My God!
He paddled to the water's edge
to pick a delicate flower for her
Bending over to regally present it to her
Unbelievable
Was there a camera hidden in the reedy ridge?
A cinematic Director
speaking into his ear
while they filmed this joyful event?
We stood frozen in disbelief
and marveled at his pure kindness
in his gentle botanical offering
This was and would be a defining moment
in this small child's life
We hoped she would remember
and if not
we hoped that the
Paddleboat Father
would somehow find his way
to this blog
to save the images
so that some day
he could remind her
Show her his love
over and over and over again
It wasn't hurried
or frenetic
It wasn't noisy or anxious
She was tranquil
So comfortable
So trusting
So innocent
Noiselessness
It was a stillness of heart
as the ball of fire dropped into the horizon
A steadfast and true promise
As day follows night
He loves her
We'll leave my calling card on your windshield
If you are here reading this
We applaud you
You gave us hope that great men exist
Who do small things with purposeful intention
Men who will raise confident girls
into nature-loving strong women
The power of a flower
The power of a lullaby lake at sunset
The power of a Paddleboat Father
Patti Friday, reporting from inside 'The Art Dept.' at the international 'Embassy of Ideas'
