Took my 16-year-old grandson to a remote lake in the Arizona mountains to fish and sit around the campfire at night; it was a heavenly retreat.
It had rained for hours before we arrived, finding dry kindling was a challenge, and then we enjoyed my signature first night dish, Mac and Cheese Hamburger Helper, which my grandson thought was an epicurean delight (all food tastes better in the woods). We sat around the campfire and talked about everything from family to philosophy. In between we’d look up at the night sky, and before our eyes accommodated from the dazzling flames to the darkness we could see only a few of the brightest stars. Then, more and more stars emerged until the sky exploded with light. The Milky Way was so thick with stars it became a celestial highway on which chariots rolled, warriors marched, and shooting stars drifted downward bringing us messages from on high. It was a magical evening.
We fished the next day taking a midday break for lunch after which watched my grandson become absorbed in the whittling of a marshmallow stick. He carefully removed all the bark, and crafted a tapered point carefully leaving a little bump to prevent the marshmallow from falling off the tip when it became soft and mushy. Gazing at his handiwork, he decided it needed some notches into the handle so that he could grip and turn the stick more easily. Finally, he carved his initials into it.
This process took an hour and a half, and it was the finest marshmallow stick I have ever seen. During the whittling he said to me “this is the ultimate irony”. I asked “ what do you mean?” and he said, “ in the city I have my laptop, cell phone, IPod, access to friends, movies, games and I still get bored. Here in the words there’s no reception and there is nothing to do, and I don’t feel bored at all. How am I going to explain to my friends that I spent an hour whittling a stick. This is the ultimate irony, when you have everything you can get bored, and when you have nothing you can find everything to do”.
In the midst of governmental ineptitude, fiscal despair, and random acts of mindless terror, with tears in my eyes I thought that our civilization may yet survive.
Get away to a place without wireless access, and you can whittle away at the familiar and with nothing to do you can see everything.
What a sweet story! I miss those AZ lakes and times camping and being with the stars. Thanks for sharing this!
Set free from the tech world din, one can hear the Heart’s Songs. Thanks for sharing your special moments-Rick
Isn’t it the truth?! My grandkids have all the lastest technical gadgets, but they are happiest when tromping through the woods or fishing.
One of life’s truisms. We took our 2 daughters camping when they were little–they loved it. As they progressed to teen years, they were certain we were attempting torture upon them. Now as adults with teens of their own — they want to share the glory of God’s nature with them. They can’t understand why the teens (girls) are finding it less than true bliss. — Dixie
Well said!. I have been an environmentalist and wilderness junkie my entire life. Trying to explain the rich gift of nature to an individual who is a mall rat is very difficult and often frustrating. I think your grandson has done it in one sentence!
Thanks for a great story Dr. H. We are never so connected as when we disconnect.
Beautiful boy, beautiful life – – your grandson (can’t believe he’s already 16!) is following the noble path of his grandfather – – a wisdom that comes with embracing nature and all its wonders – – good for body and soul – – it is serving him well – – what a handsome young man! Wow. Awesome.
Carl
Just had similiar experience camping with my 12 yr old son in Adirondaks. Was as good for me as it was for him.His focus on preparing and then starting a greatcampfire was a thing od beauty.
Best
Tuck Hunter(soul mate and life long friend of Mike Lewis
I know I’m a week late responding. I, too, was fishing with my 15 year old grandson. We go every year for 4 or 5 days, fly fishing in North Idaho. My experience mirrors yours. What a great time to be alive!
Love hearing from you all on our shared healing journeys and sending my blessings, C.