Long's Park on A Beautiful Evening

On a perfect evening this week we found ourselves

at Long's Park in Lancaster.

On the edge of the city

the beauty is indisputable.

Of course, 

with this many geese and ducks

discretion in foot placement is kind of essential.

We are also on a quest for a new photo 

of Chelsea for our hallway.

Currently the photo in that frame is from 

the Cruise with a Cause a few years ago.

That being the trip that got this whole 

YWAM thing started.

Visiting the orphanages and schools made 

Chelsea long to do another mission trip....

 but this time

one where she could communicate in English

with those that she was working with.

This poor mama duck got all of our sympathy 

when after getting all of her ducklings settled for the night

was attacked by a bully duck.

He and his entourage of two swam up and he coldly

came stepping all over and through the babies 

in an effort to get to this particular duck.

He chased her, grabbed her and was all out nasty

as we looked on in shock.

Even the geese in the area seemed at a bit of a loss 

as to how to respond.

Even in her distress this mama seemed to give her babies 

instruction as they took to the water 

and as soon as she could break free

she joined them.

Off they went to another nesting site for the night.

While the bully and his followers patrolled the shore.

I was sooooo mad at them.

It really took me to another place and time.

I could just picture those creeps at school who

sought out a particular person and made their lives

so miserable.

There was a girl in our middle school who was very 

obviously from a less than desirable home situation.

I never got to know this girl because of my own 

fears and probably prejudice....if I'm being honest.

However, I was so disturbed to hear other 

girls in the locker room 

putting her down and commenting on her 

personal hygeine

in a way that had to, just had to, hurt her feelings.

It made an impression on me.

I was too shy and afraid of those bullies

myself to stand up to them.

I had experienced their disdain myself

for being different.

My conservative wardrobe wasn't exactly popular

in those circles.

While I am not proud that I didn't stand up for 

that fellow student it has caused 

me to be more sensitive and quicker to reach out to

others ever since.

These three ducks made me flash right back to those situations.

To those bullies.

And I had it easy in the scheme of things.

I really feel for those who are alone and despised 

in the world.

 Anyway, back to the park.....

There were so many geese.

Chelsea was going to sneak up on Warren but

he knew she was there....

I think she just got interested in what he was capturing on his phone.

Making memories that will last 

for years to come.

The weather was just perfect.

And with a final "Ta-da" 

we were off!