I had been wading for about an hour. It was late summer and the canopy was full and particularly tight where I found myself standing. It was one of those spots where I’m very glad I own a good six-foot fly rod. Standing there in the middle of the stream, I decided it was time to tie on a different fly.
In the shade, with my knot-tying glasses on, I was very still while concentrating intently on the 6X tippet when, in the corner of my eye, I saw movement. My mind immediately backed off the thought of “bear” when it registered a golden color. Shifting my eyes up to focus better, I found myself asking, “What’s a golden retriever doing in these woods?” The flash of the golden coat disappeared in the greenery, but I decided to remain still and wait. Then, within reach of my six-foot rod, there she was—a beautiful small doe. She eased to the edge of the stream and stopped. From behind followed a precious, perfectly marked fawn.
I was simply amazed that mother was halfway across the stream in front of me before completely acknowledging my definite presence. She placed her large brown eyes on me and moved her head back and forth as if attempting to focus while asking herself what in the world was that in the stream. Her ears began to adjust independently of each other as I had decided to speak to her in a soft voice. Amusingly, it was actually baby who determined it was time to go. She flashed danger with her tail, turned, and instantly disappeared into the surrounding forest with mother close behind. I was left blessed by the encounter.
I was in the right place at the right time. The right place was the stream itself. The right time is now, the present. The present is all the creatures know. The stream is an attractor.
The stream is a life-source. It doesn’t exclude. It invites all to be a part of its experience. It is an experience essential to life itself.
I wish I could explain what attracts me to the stream. I know it has become an essential part of my life. There are times even though miles away I hear its song. I hear it calling my name. I have all my life.
I have always felt this way about a stream – I love to walk the greenway in Maryville because it runs along a stream. I love to just sit by the stream on a rock and watch the water go by. I also love so much to hike to the top of a huge mountain with a stream at the bottom. I take off my shoes and socks after the hike and sit there with my sore, sore feet in the ice cold water. It is such a blessed experience for me.