The Reflection

It was like looking into forever. The reflection of the trees dressed in their radiant crimson and gold fall colors looked up at me from the depth of the water as the canoe glided silently along above them – a breathtaking moment in time in my new home of North Carolina.

One instant I would find myself looking up toward the sky – the trees in all their splendor looking down on me - a tiny ripple in time, and the next instant I would find myself looking down into a reflection so picture perfect that I scarcely wanted to breathe for fear of disturbing the view. And the silence – I could feel it – it surrounded me – enveloped me with a warm feeling of safety that comes only in those moments when you know with certainty that you are in the presence and a part of something so awesome that you have no words to describe it. And although I understand that it was never meant to be described, the humanness in me wants to share it with others.

So where do I begin? It was my first canoe trip. It was unseasonably cold for November in North Carolina. I was with people I had only met that very day. What was I thinking? I was thinking of new experiences - new friends – new possibilities, and I was feeling a great sense of adventure. It was a date with the unknown.

My shipmate – also my blind date – was a wonderful guide and teacher and well seasoned in the art of canoeing. He patiently explained to me how to “board” the canoe without “rocking the boat” too much – gave me the front seat so that I could power the canoe with my paddle – while he steered from his seat behind me. Although I was a novice, it felt natural from the moment we slipped out onto the mirror perfect water. There was such a sense of effortlessness of the canoe making its way along. I have always marveled at the grace of ducks slipping silently along in the water and I wondered if this is how they feel – like silk on velvet – almost disconnected from everything yet totally connected to the whole.

There was no wind – the air was invigoratingly crisp – the silence was deafening –the beauty was all inspiring - the peace was all-encompassing – and the trees stood perfectly still stretching tall into the heavens and then reflecting their exact image into the depth of the water – from forever into forever.
And I wondered? Is this how God sees us - created in His own image – reflecting His Glory for all the world to see? And I looked out into forever and felt a silent, “Thank you” rise up from my heart -- because there really is no need for words.

©2006 Ilene Madrigal