June 11

I am sitting by another burning glory of a fire. Another day to reflect on, I again share my story. I hope that everyone who shares my story continues to enjoy. I am finding my muse and myself in these daily moments of reflection. I encourage everyone to do the same, to spend a moment a day in reflection. It’s good for the soul.

Campbell River is a pretty seaside community in the centre of Vancouver Island. It feels like the north end, but it is geographically in the middle. I had a nice drive along the ocean into town to attend my meeting.

After finishing up my tour I stopped at Crabby Bobs and grabbed some fresh seafood off the dock. The best part of being at the ocean is fresh seafood. A prairie boy like me loves every chance I get.

We are staying at Pacific Playground which is located at the mouth of the Oyster River and the Georgia Straight. The three of us finished our dinner and walked to the waterfront. We walked down the roadway of the campground and experienced a connection only found when camping. People smiled from their sites, many nod and some said hello. The only person that didn’t acknowledge us was very busy. He was in tune with his chi. He was performing Thai Chi or some other exercise. His camp was decorated with mini trees and plants. He had carved signs reading, Love, earth, and Water. He was definitely connected with the earth and a higher power. We walked to the end of the road and gazed into the majestic scenery in front of us.

The mountains of the opposite coast stood off in the distance. Shrouded with streams of cloud and shadows of black and grey. The sky had patches of blue and reflections of sunlight glowed downward to the sea below. The ocean waves were foaming and breaking on the shore. The water broke the surface with white crests dancing in front of our eyes. The estuary of the creek flowed into the ocean and the crash of the waves mixed with the flow of the river and blended in an aquatic harmony. The scene took a moment to fill my sights, it took seconds to fill my soul. My breath was taken back and I stood in awe.

Until my lovely daughter asked,” okay now what?”

“Now we walk to the water” was my reply.

“No thanks.”

I pushed down my frustration and desire to throttle her. “How about we walk down that log?” I pointed at a fallen tree that went toward the water edge.

“Ok, that looks fun.”

Finally, I felt a sense of victory approaching. We walked down the log and onto another one. This is a game we have played every time we go to the ocean or the Kootenays. My wife followed us down the logs and we ended up at the edge of the creek, just before it entered the saltwater. I stood there and looked out upon the water again. I felt an immense connection with the water in that moment. The sea air, the breeze caressed my hair and the waves crashed below. The calm eddy of the creek inches away from me gave me a sense of calm and utter peace filled my being.

“Can we go now?” my daughter’s voice broke my rapture.

I looked at her and smiled. ”Water is one of the four elements of life, connect with it my girl, feel it, embrace it.” I grabbed her hand and urged her to feel the power I could feel. “Earth, wind and fire are the other elements my girl and we need to connect with them to be truly fulfilled.”

We paused for a moment. I felt a tingle of recognition from her.

“That’s nice Daddy, can we go back now?” she smiled at me and started back towards the logs.

I sighed and exchanged a look with Krista. Kids these days only understand instant gratification. I silently cursed the technological wonders that have created a world where the screen is more important than the real world.

We stopped again at the end of the road and looked back out at the majestic view in front of us. I grabbed both my loves by the shoulder and hugged them tight. I encouraged them to breath with me, to see the sights in front of us. To enjoy when earth, water, and wind met in a wondrous cacophony of balance and beauty. In that brief moment, I felt fully connected with the girls, and with the world around us.

Now I sit again, alone by the fire. The last embers dying in front of me, I will remember this day as a good one. I can sleep soundly knowing that the power of the earth, the wind, water and fire remain true and strong.