meanderings of a restless wanderer

Every once in a while I will watch a film that moves me…that truly makes me ponder my life and the world that surrounds me. Sometimes it is because of the sheer poetry of the film, other times it is because of the simple truths that it presents, while still others because it taps into a part of my soul that I had forgotten existed. As I watched “Into the Wild” my soul was stirred by all three of those things.

As I watched the story of this young man unfold before me like some story from Thoreau - I couldn’t help but be conflicted. On the one hand it was a journey that Christopher McCandless had to take. One of self discovery, one of growing up and being the very person his soul craved to be. On the other hand many of his actions were selfish…which ultimately he realized.

Now, maybe it’s because I never had a tree house when I was a kid…or maybe I didn’t go camping enough - but to be honest I am a little jealous of Christopher McCandless. For two years he lived an adventure that many of us wish we could live. Soaking up the freedom that surrounded him as he experienced a life that was separated from the things that cause so much pain and stress to the majority of us.

I’m a nature guy. I crave to be in it. I feel God speaks and shows His mystery through it. There is something wild about our making…that I believe causes our souls to cry out for adventure. As we grow up we push it down - trying to ignore it - calling it childish - foolish even…and still deep within, it beckons us to live in dangerous wonder…because He calls us to live in dangerous wonder.

As I continue on in this journey - I see the adventure that it is. I don’t want to stand in the shallows, I want to dive into the heart of the raging river. I want to gasp for breath as I let myself go in His divine story - breaking free from all of those things that entangle…as I am swept away in the great mystery that I am apart of…and what makes it even more exhilarating is that I know I am not alone.

As time continues in its inevitability may my soul continue to hear the call of the wild - and may I always have the courage and trust to allow Him to sweep me away in the greatest of adventures.

Until next time…

So Thursday was my birthday. Don’t feel bad if you didn’t know, I am not exactly a huge fan of birthdays. This year Leanne decided she was going to take me away for a few days as a gift. So off to San Diego we went. Thursday night we hung out downtown sampling food throughout the Gaslamp Quarter, and on Friday we went to see Shamu…which is where my story takes place.

Leanne and I just sat down on the ride “Journey to Atlantis” and as we get ready to go the ride operator says, “sorry folks we are having some technical difficulties”…so we wait…5 minutes… then ten. Finally the ride operator says “sorry” again and that we are going to have to exit the ride so they can have empty cars run through the ride to make sure everything is ok. Leanne and I and the 5 other people in our boat get off the ride and stand by the exit waiting for our turn to ride…that is when and employee noticed two ducklings under the track.

Now we are at Sea World…you know eco-friendly lets take care of animals type place…so they tell us they can’t restart the ride until the get the ducks into a safe place. As the two little girls from our boat are watching the two little duckies dart back and forth we notice three more ducklings sitting on a rock in the water…and that is when the horror began.

The mother duck found her three other ducklings and they began to swim to a different part of the man made lake…the problem was is that they were swimming right for one of the water intakes for the ride…which basically causes a whirlpool. As we watch the ducks nearing this funnel of death an employee tells the parents of the two little girls that they probably don’t want their kids to see what is about to happen. The parents turn the girls away…much to the girls chagrin of course…and as the employee begins to talk about how there is no way those ducks will make it, “they never do” we see them begin to get stuck in the current…and all I can do is yell…swim little ducky…swim!

I couldn’t watch but at the same time I couldn’t turn away…They fought, and they kicked, and they swam their hardest and just as the began to get pulled in they broke free of the current and swam away following mom to safety.

Whew!

After returning the other two ducks to the family all of us cheered, the ducks lived! Of course my elation was cut short when the employee said, “there will probably be only one by the end of the week…seagulls like to sweep in and swallow the ducklings whole.”

As I looked at the guy with disgust…I was saddened….but then the ride opened again…and as we splashed down at the end of the ride..I saw those ducklings one last time…I don’t know what will happen to those ducks, but on that day I was sure glad they swam their hardest….because that would have totally ruined my birthday if they got sucked into a whirlpool.

That’s my story. Until next time….