Looks can be deceiving

 Since it's been so nice out (3 days in the 60's), I've taken full advantage of this weather to get outside and do some walking.  Love it!  I don't listen to music, I listen to birds.  Near my house is this pond and nature area.  It's so peaceful out in this area.  Surprisingly, I don't see many people...it's a good walk to walk around the pond (someday there should be a walking path around this pond).  I believe it's a spring fed pond as well.  Isn't it lovely?  Well, it looks nice but you wouldn't want to swim in it.  NO!  About six years ago a young man thought he would show off to his friends and he said he could swim across this beautiful pond.  What he didn't know is what lurks beneath it.  That young man lost his life that day.  His friends saw him go under, tried to save him but the pond was too powerful.  There is muck, under toes, lots of weeds...so it looks very inviting...there is a dark side to this pond.  Rescuers couldn't save that young man.  They had to dredge the pond to find the young man.  I always remember that young man when I look at that pond...looks can be deceiving.

Thankfully, the builder was not able to build houses by the pond for the land was designated a Wet Land.  I've been bringing my camera on my walks hoping to snap some shots of the many different kinds of wildlife around this area but I've only seen some ducks.  I don't like to walk when it gets dark or early mornings so it's hard to see anything during the day.  I have seen some eagle nests.    Oh yeah, sorry about the cameo of my fingernail.  Hehehe...

I love to walk and reflect.  The pond is a good place to think about ones life.  I'm feeling pretty grateful right now.  A woman we know at church is dying from can.cer.  She was very active in our church and in helping the food pantry.  I taught religious ed with her. Her son is a brother knight with my dh.    Also, last week I found out that a three year old daughter of a teacher I worked with last year is on life support.  She was born with a rare heart condition and last week, she went into cardia.c arre.st.    This teacher is expecting baby number two and is hoping baby number one lives.  This teacher was so nice to listen to me last year when I needed someone to vent too.  She is completely sweet.  So if you could spare a few prayers for those among us who are suffering, it would be appreciated.

My friend whose dh died a few weeks ago is working on finding her new normal (as she put it).  Prayers have been helping her.  Since her dh passed, I've been giving mine a lot more hugs and kisses.  We actually had a discussion about our own services...nothing major just some details.  I guess it's good to know.  We don't know the time or day.

My dh said something very profound the other day "Seems like this Lenten Season has been filled with sadness."  He's right.  For me, I've realized to be more thankful for the life I have, my health, my job, my home, my family and especially for the wonderful man I get to share my life with.