Many Happy Returns

From the edge of the lake, I watched turtles, fish, frogs, snakes, and birds, all going about the business of living their lives, while the sun played hide-and-seek among fat, lazy clouds, and insects hummed, chirruped, and buzzed. Nearby, a woodpecker added rhythmic percussion to the skirl of a catbird's call. In the distance, musical voices of children, laughing and calling out to each other, made me smile, remembering moments long ago at this same park with my wide-eyed, two-year-old son just beginning to discover the amazing sights and sounds of Nature.