The Sandhill Crane family in my neighborhood has delighted me for years. They take leisurely strolls right down the street, usually Mom, Dad and the spring chick. My next door neighbor with their wide lakefront vista and groomed yard hosts the hilarious flying lessons each summer. It looks like a fun lesson too , not just for for the young crane but the whole family. all three jump into the incoming breeze off the lake with much calling and flapping of wings, encouraging those exciting first air born moments for the chick. To witness this family ritual is an honor.
My exquisite 11 year old stepson, who frequently (and unknowingly) teaches me some of the bests of lessons on life and love, interrupted my shower the other morning yelling something unintelligible. I of course bend my wet head out and yell back “WHATTTT????” and all I hear is sentence fragments that sound like “rain!!! on the patio!!!!” How can it be raining, I mused..what the heck is he saying? I rinse far more quickly than I had planned to muttering something like “this better be good”
The previous day his mother and I had a scare. He’d fainted at his track meet. We’d been separated for 3 months. Couldn’t even speak without anger so we’d quit trying. She’d let me know about the incident that of course you want to think was “nothing” but we couldn’t help being worried. He’d had some heart problems as an infant and the Doctor referred a cardiologist, and neurologist. Scary specialties for anyone and specially so for an 11 year old boy. It was time for a truce. It was time to be mature.. it was time to draw together and be together. They came to me after the Dr’s appointment. Seeing me lit him up like a light. I’d stopped at the store to get ingredients for chili, his favorite. He was so thrilled to know the little basket of flowers i bought were for him. Hugging him hard and breathing in his boyish smell, so sweet, brought such an overwhelming rush of love to me. His mom came to us and we folded her in and it was all so right.
He and I spent the evening together, while his mom attended a birthday party. We talked the dude stuff we always do, laughing, remembering, and loving each other. When bedtime came, I layed awake for a long time praying. Feeling such love for both of them, letting go of worry, trying to let go of fear, wanting guidance to the right path.
Wrapping a towel around me I head out of the bathroom to see what the heck is on the patio and why the heck its so important to interrupt my shower musings. I see them from the sliding glass door in my bedroom. Its the Sand Hill Crane Family and they are…visiting. Their spring chick is almost as tall as the female. They stand right outside the screen enclosure and look in, right at me it seemed. I get a rush of pleasure like i always do when I see them but also because I’ve never seen them THERE before . I’m wondering why. The number 3 hits me first. I feel this visit is to me, to show me something, something they know about family. I feel the awe of it. I pull my boy close and we speak in low tones and reverently, we marvel at this little miracle of sorts, and enjoy watching them for several minutes. They leave slowly but with lots of noise as is their habit. I feel blessed and answered.
“You know? ” he says musingly, I look to him waiting for something poignant, “I’m Starving! ” He says. We laugh and off we run to make some Saturday morning soul food: pancakes!
Have an interesting day!
Beclecto
The Broad River and its tributaries feed beautiful Lake Lure with over 10 million gallons of water per day. Like many lakes created by damming one end of a river, The water needs to be released on the downstream side. The release is calculated based on the water height in the lake, Releases can be daily in the event of heavy rain or snow melt. In the event of drought, water may be released only every several days. On days when the downstream Broad River is dryer, tubing is impossible. On release days, however, the river boldly flows and water levels increase above the level of the many rocks in its bed creating small rapids and a really good time tubing. 
