Lake Lesson 4

I leaned my paddle board on the black fence at the entrance to the lake. A white praying mantis was praying on the fence at eye level. What a rare sighting and such an incredible creature. A few steps away, a smiling woman with a young boy and girl were at her side looking out at the Lake. I also have a son and daughter, but are now young adults. I caught their eyes and in my excitement shared with them, “There is a Praying Mantis right here...come and see!” I lifted my board and placed it on the other side of the fence, closer to the launching area and closed the gate. The woman asked me about my board. She had always been curious and wondered if it was something she would be capable of doing. She had a bunch of questions and I was happily answering them and encouraging her to try it one day. I would have offered to let her try mine right then - but the social etiquette during this season of Covid is so delicate. 


She confided in me, “I’m afraid I’d fall.” I understood this fear, and knew that for me, it represented more - I also had fear about taking risks in my life, but this year I’d faced some big ones head on and had gotten to the other side unscathed and even elevated. There was so much I wanted to tell her, but I simply said, “You will - but your landing will be soft.” I felt like I was looking at my Former Self. Fearful, naive but wanting more. Here I was,,, literally and figuratively on the other side of the fence now. Peaceful, wise and grateful for what Is. I did my best to encourage her that she could do it. She told me she would stay and watch me get on the board to see if it would be one step she could picture herself doing. I was grateful to be a teacher and example to her in this small way. Even though I did not know her, I wanted the best for her and for her goal to come true. 


I walked into the water up to my waist and pushed my board out away from the rocky shore. It was a windy morning with some waves. Not the usual calm surface for standing up. Through the fence, she asked me, “Can you go out in waves like that?” She seemed concerned for me. I had been out in waves before and reassured her, “There’s no pressure to stand up on a paddle board. Every day is different - some people kneel, sit or even just lay on it. I won’t be standing up today, just sitting and paddling, but it’s worth it to get out on the lake for some peace.” She then yelled out to me, “The Praying Mantis is on your board!” I turned and looked - sure enough, there was the white Praying Mantis sitting right in the middle of my board where I was planning on sitting, myself. I was so glad she pointed it out, as I was so distracted by the force of the incoming waves, I would have overlooked it. I felt honored that Miss Mantis wanted to ride with me and took it as a good sign. I had let dragon flies hang out with me on excursions before, but I felt Miss Mantis should stay on the shore. I urged her to crawl onto the tip of my paddle and I transferred her to a rock. Legs folded sitting on my board, I plunged my paddle into the water and began to make my way to the heart of the lake to take in the peaceful surroundings. Kids at her side, the woman waved wildly to me as a hearty Thank You and Bon Voyage. I felt so uplifted by our brief encounter. I hoped that I kindled something in her to try something new even if it meant falling. 


Even though I have weathered many storms, naturally I will encounter more. That morning I moved swiftly south. I was far into the Lake and bobbed up and down in the wild waves. The water was lit up in morning diamonds, but the sky over Canada was a wall of dark blue and ominous. I took a break to stare at the sight - the contrast of it all. I realized the wall of darkness may be moving a bit closer to the Michigan shore than when I had started out. I dug my paddle in deep to lunge my self forward, back to where I had launched. I needed my full body strength to propel my self ahead. If I didn’t stroke hard and fast enough, I’d be three strokes back with the force of the waves. The current underneath me seemed to want to keep me back. I would not relent. I would not give up or pause. I would not get stuck in a storm, nor did I want to be pushed into the sea wall or have to hold onto someone’s emergency ladder. I did not want to yell out to anyone on shore for help. I imagined that if I got too tired or the waves too strong, I would have to accept that these things may happen, but I persisted. I passed closely to the back sides of large estates with impeccable yards as I paddled with all that I had. The waves were really picking up. I was a bit anxious. I put on my life vest. The more I looked at how far I was from where I wanted to be, the more discouraged I got - so I didn’t. I concentrated on where I was at the moment and gaged my success on how far I had gone. By passing each estate on the lakes edge, I could see I’d gone a few homes forward. At least I was going forward. This helped me.

​I thought of the Praying Mantis. Glad that I prevented her from experiencing such a jostling trip, I was missing her and hoped that she was still praying for me, especially now. I did feel an aloneness on my board that morning that felt different. Did I need someone to help me? Could I do this alone? Toward the end of my venture, I saw a paddle boarder being rescued by a small motor boater. No one on the Lake was going to rescue me, nor was anyone on the shore worried about me. I was alone by choice. I was reminded how strong Nature is - her force is to be respected. I was also reminded how strong I am. The waves became more threatening but I made it back safely, just as the rain started to fall and thunder cracked. I did it my self. I rescued my self. I am no longer under the influence of fairy tales like I was as a young girl. I am strong and capable. 


I had told the young woman I was going out for a peaceful paddle but the Lake has her lessons and I am a grateful student. 




Beauty is Everywhere


- Holly