Swimming with Swans

     One of my best memories growing up was swimming with the swans on Mullett Lake in Michigan. There was a bevy of about seven or eight of them that would emerge from Little Pigeon River every morning, gliding out of the tube toward our dock where they knew I would be waiting for them.

     My mother would warn me to not feed them, but I did. I know I shouldn’t have, but I did it anyway. I sat on the end of the dock as they swam up to me and I handed them small pieces of lettuce, tossing it to the others farthest away.

     I have to admit to you right now that I’m not always the brightest person when it comes to wild animals. I love them. Most of them anyway, and I love to be in their presence. When I was young, I enjoyed them more than people. I was very quiet and it seemed that animals didn’t mind that.

     Anyway, I won’t prattle on all day about my love for them, but my husband does call me Snow-white, thinking I would love to live in the woods, surrounded by them. He’s right, but I should stick to my story.

     I was determined, at about twelve, that I was going to join my swans, become part of their bevy, and swim along the docks with them. My mother warned me that they could be mean, and she didn’t want me in the water with them. But I knew those swans. I spoke to them every morning, and they dawdled at our dock's end to listen to me. We talked about their beautiful feathers, how they glided so easily, and how much I loved puttering down the river they nested in.

     I devised a plan. I was determined to take my time and be patient. Each morning, I got in the water and waited for them as they drew near. I’d toss little pieces of lettuce, and some would snatch it from my hands. I began walking along the shore as they swam away. Finally, I eased myself off of the dock into the water and swam after them, careful not to get too close. They would look back at me curiously, not really bothering to swim away from me. I followed them a little way and then turned back to the dock.

     Finally, one day, I started swimming along with them as they left the dock. I was a good swimmer, so it wasn’t that hard. I felt like I was part duck, having grown up on the water. I wish I could say I felt like I was part swan, but I wasn’t confused. I was in the presence of true beauty. I just wanted to be with them as long as possible. I wanted to hold onto that feeling of elation of being in their presence. I do remember that feeling.

     I have never forgotten those summers of swimming with the swans. I loved all of them, and I think they knew it, and that’s why they let me come along. They represented a remarkable grace and beauty that I longed to be part of. I guess it could have been dangerous to swim with them if I hadn’t been a friend to them for those years that I met them at the dock to talk while they listened to me patiently.

     Maybe they knew I needed their friendship; I did. They let me enter their world for a few minutes each day, and I was so grateful. I knew that these creatures belonged to God, and somehow, I did, too. We had that in common. I am still in awe of those perfect creatures and am so grateful that they let me join them for a while.

     They made my day more beautiful and I was filled with happiness for their friendship. Animals can be such good therapy for a child. I've always had an affinity for them. I'm sharing this story because childhood can sometimes be lonely. It's a good thing to watch for this with your children so that you can help them along. God has always sent animals my way to let me know how much He loves me. I'm not recommending swimming with swans. I do believe that was a gift from God that was uniquely for me.

    I think animals are precious, and we must recognize that their presence in our lives, even the wild ones in our yards, is truly a blessing. We should always be kind to our little friends.

Have a good day!

Denise