Perennial Pond Pleasures

Whether during the hot days of summer or the arctic cold of winter, a backyard pond has multiple uses. Its shimmering glass-like surface reflects the surrounding trees, rippling with each raindrop and the splash of a lively bluegill. Not only does its beauty lie in the scenic serenity it symbolizes, but a pond also offers many opportunities for fun. Many do not realize the countless activities a small body of water provides. During the summer our pond serves as a swimming hole and a fisherman’s delight. Bitter winter temperatures quickly transform its surface into a skating rink. As a whole, a pond facilitates activities which produce pleasant memories among family and friends.

Throughout the summer a pond brings the thrills of the fishing season. Many of my family members rise at the crack of dawn to grab their poles and get an early start. One could easily spend the whole day relaxing in a lawn chair on the perimeter of our lawn gazing at a bobber. What the fish consume provides even more entertainment. In desperation for bait some have fished with marshmallows, corn, and hot dog buns. Many times just a plain hook works, but this shows someone has slacked in completing his chore of giving the daily fish food ration. When reeling fish in by the minute, who needs patience? This fishing spot, just a few steps from the back porch, provides an ideal place for any aspiring fisherman.

When July’s blistering heat prevails, one feels a strong urge to take a running leap into a pond’s cool, calm waters. In fact, our family makes these type of days into a special celebration. We invite several families to join us for an afternoon “pond party” to swim and relax. Coordinating games for these events has caused us to realize the variety of interesting relay races a pond can host. Last year we put our heads together and came up with a inner-tube race with a picnic twist. Rafting across the pond, the team and its vessel of inner-tubes had to safely transport a cooler of sodas to the opposite shore. After disembarking from the craft, the team members had to spread out a checkered blanket on the lawn and guzzle down a soda from their cooler before loading up and returning back to the starting line. Also, in the past friends have enjoyed water balloon fights on our water trampoline and canoe tug-of-war. Everyone looks forward to this exciting event of fun and fellowship each year. Having a pond makes these types of gatherings possible.

However, the end of the summer season only makes one look forward to the next. Our anticipation increases when we first notice a thin sheet of ice skimming the pond’s surface on a cold morning. At our home the skating season officially begins once the ice has reached a thickness of two-and-a-half inches. But maintaining a pond in the winter requires much more diligence. To keep a smooth skating rink, one must venture into the cold after each snowfall to complete the task of clearing masses of snow from the pond’s surface. In addition, our “pond maintenance crew” has found strategies for overcoming bumpy ice without professional machinery. Dire circumstances have forced us to thaw frozen backyard hoses with hairdryers in order to pump water out to the pond. After several hours of dragging the hose back and forth over the ice, one can produce a thin layer of smooth, glassy paradise. Ultimately, we learn to work together through these labors.

Such diligent upkeep enables one to enjoy a pond to the fullest. Our friends jump at any opportunity to ice skate. This sport makes the long winter days pass by quickly. Everyone comes ready for fun and filled with enthusiasm. Scarves trailing behind, skaters flash across the pond as delicate snowflakes float to the ground. Snowballs fly through the air in attempt to successfully hit a swift skater. Children young and old participate in games of tag. With boots and sleds as make-shift goal markers, hockey brings the adrenaline to a climax. Lit up with Christmas lights along its perimeter, the pond provides an inviting atmosphere on a clear, starry night. After working so hard, one can smile with satisfaction when sensing the happiness encased in such a beautiful scene.

In summary, having a pond adds to the joy of each season. Through summer and winter a pond’s versatility creates endless opportunities for entertainment. Such diverse activities from fishing to skating bring many occasions to draw friends and family close together. Many of my fondest memories include time spent in this way. Some may see a pond as unimportant, but in my eyes it provides an avenue of fun for all ages and a means for families to gather together as friends.

A Meaningful Journey

(The following essay was written as a part of my advanced composition class):

Last June a portion of my family embarked on a trip of a lifetime. My dad, older brother, and I traveled to Sweden with my grandparents. Planning to trod the ground of my great-grandparents' homeland, we looked forward to getting a visual account of our family's background. Our schedule overflowed with ambition as we tried to pack as much as possible into short trip. We enjoyed exploring the past together as a family, digging deep into history, and learning more about the lives of our predecessors. God brought our family close together as we spent time with each other and contemplated his sovereign work in our history.

While traveling and sharing the experience together, I noticed our hearts bond in a unique way. Watching my grandmother converse fluently with family members and other Swedish people gave me a new respect for her. Her crucial role in translation helped us immensely, building a bridge between us and those who could not speak English. As we visited numerous family farms and churches, my grandparents joyfully shared facts and information with us. They related interesting stories about our forefathers and pointed out many landmark locations while we caravanned from place to place. I knew those walkie-talkies we packed would come in handy! Such quality time -- a total of almost two weeks -- gave us a deeper relationship with our grandparents as we listened to them share their heart. How meaningful for them to come alongside us to pass on such rich legacy!

Our tour of Sweden also brought a realization of the Lord's blessing on us. God directed my great-grandparents to America and gave them a solid faith. In America they could grow in the discipleship of a strong evangelical environment. Despite leaving their families behind, they gained something far more valuable: a deep love for Christ. As believers, they passed the torch of faith to the next generation. However, through our interaction with relatives and cousins in Sweden, we observed that those who remained had not handed down their faith to their children. Out of all of the relatives we met, not one of them demonstrated a relationship with the Lord. We grieved over their blindness. This instance highlighted God's mercy towards our family, a fact which humbled us and kindled an attitude of gratefulness.

In closing, our journey provided the means to visit and enjoy our heritage as a family. It served as an opportunity for my grandparents to share and expound on the depth of the legacy we will continue. That we could reflect on our family’s history together made this trip especially meaningful. We found a new appreciation for the lives of our ancestors but more importantly saw how God used their lives to affect us down the road. As a whole, the experiences we had during our trip to Sweden illuminated God’s hand in our history and knitted our hearts together in thankfulness for the grace he has shown toward us.

*Click HERE for pictures of our Sweden Trip