Be Still My Heart

I just returned from my weekly run at Lake Rogers Park. I’ve seen many awesome sights there: birds, squirrels, armadillos, lush foliage in every shade of green and brown, snakes, yes, snakes, and my favorite, trees, dead and alive, that look like living art.

And the sounds are as beautiful as the scenery; usually, however, those sounds are of birds singing or of trees blowing in the wind.

 

Today, I heard children’s voices talking excitedly. When I rounded the next bend in the trail, I came upon a family of four, sitting on a bench, facing Lake Rogers.

The kids were having a wonderful time. Who knows what they were talking about, but that doesn’t matter. The pitch of their voices revealed their happiness. They were out in the wilderness on a beautiful day with Mom and Dad. Clearly, they were having a good time, and why not? They had the undivided attention of both parents. No cell phones, no TV, nary an iPod in sight. They were, staring out at Lake Rogers Park. Nature trumps TV every time, and the 'big' screen? This 'screen' was bigger than any other.

On my next lap I passed them again. This time they were walking; well, the parents were walking and the kids were skipping, burning up energy and still chattering away.

 

In this world, too many parents miss the opportunity to visit a park for some valuable ‘down time’ with their children, with each other, or even alone.

 

On this pristine Tampa day, I thought of how many families were probably crowded into Chuck E. Cheese or a movie theater or one of those indoor gyms. How many were planted in front of the TV or playing video games. I have nothing against any of these, but I do believe that all parents should recognize that everyone needs time among trees and birds, for it is in their presence that spirits blossom and stress magically melts away. This morning spent at the park will leave a lovely footprint in the souls of those two kids.

 

It did my heart good to hear their delighted voices and know their parents had taught them, probably mostly by example, to appreciate nature. I bet those kids don’t litter, and I bet they notice pretty flowers and listen for birds chirping. How lucky they are!