Leaf of Gold

It had been a long day. It was a three hour drive to Orlando in the morning, and a three hour return trip. It was a journey Melanie and I had wanted to take since last year. The journey to visit the nurses and doctors who helped save her life as she battled an acute case of H1N1. From Lake City this past October she journeyed to Orlando via an ambulance, to the only room available prepared for her by the mercies of God. She never remembered being in Orlando through Thanksgiving and thus she was excited to meet these wonderful people.
Returning home after six, it was my desire to do nothing more than rest. But, nearing 7PM, the sky promised a grand sunset, so I loaded up the kayak and drove the five miles to Watertown Lake. Arriving, the winds were strong, the clouds few and I almost returned home.
I put in at the ramp, paddled into the wind and through the chop, heading past the dock with four fishermen and on over towards the dead pines in the water. About that time, the winds ceased, the clouds returned and the sun came into view, low and below the clouds. It was a race at this point to position myself to catch the fleeting rays. Each rapid stroke bought me closer to my destination. Finally arriving, I sat and beheld the wonderful scene unfolding before me on the Watertown Lake.
As I photographed, I comtemplated the day and the blessings we have experienced through all the turmoil. The calm upon the waters, the single fragile leaf afloat, reminded me of our tenuous, fleeting time upon the waters of this life. I thought of the Lord calling to the waves, peace be still. It did not matter at this moment if the photographs were not up to my exacting standards. On this lake alone, the leaf and I drifted into the fading light, aglow with the peace that passes understanding.