Pure Joy

There is something about the strong tug on a kite string that brings back many memories and delights the soul. It refreshes and ignites the heart to young days when life was simple. It stirs and brings alive old memories. This happened last evening when we flew some kites together at our Outdoor Church Picnic.

Our church picnic is held the first Sunday night of each month. In the colder months we call it an Indoor Picnic – in the warmer months we move outside to enjoy the beauty of our out doors for our Outdoor Picnic. Our church sits on 22 acres of land – on top of the highest hill in the area and is a beautiful spot to enjoy what God has given us.

The best part of the Picnic is the mixture of older and younger people. It brings together people that are new to the church and the folk that have always been there. It stirs laughter and brings out people cannot laugh any longer. Before the evening is over there are giggles everywhere. But you may have guessed correctly – not everyone likes to laugh or have fun. Some still prefer to be preached at in a church service – or sung to over a TV program. Sadly many have lost their “fun times” and with it has gone the fellowship that should be so deeply rooted in all that church is about. (Sorry – that is a slip into another sermonizing spell.)

Each Church Picnic – Indoor or Outdoor – has offered moments that can never be repeated. People come and people go – lives touch others in unique ways. Last evening this happened again. I would like you to meet a few of these people.

My mother is young at heart. But at 86 she has slowed down some. Marion (or Nell) as she is called in some circles has had a full life. Recently she has moved to live with us in Peterborough. She has had some great losses in her life – but has always been willing to start over. Mom loves life but sadly misses special people that she laugher with in home area for so many years – Regina, Saskatchewan.

The next person is Sherwood – he is 80 years old now and is perhaps one of the most gentle and interesting person that I know. Definitely you must describe him as young at heart. He is an inventor and thinker. He loves being with people. You will often find him during the week with senior ladies from our church. He will be driving them to get their groceries or to a doctor’s appointment. He rarely misses any Sunday morning or evening meetings at the church. He never misses the Indoor/Outdoor Picnics since were started them. His wife Helen suffers greatly with pain in every joint of her body.

Now add to our mixture the youngest last evening at 8 years old and we have delight. As the young children hung on tight to the strong tug of the Kite string – there were giggles and laughter from the adults. There were “woos” and “awes” as the Kites dipped and dived. There was a loud “Watch out!” as the Kites dived at each other in the wind and then finally wrapped their own cords around each other. It was as if the Kites were having as much fun as the people below.

In the middle of the kite flying time I was able to catch some of the delight. I hope these photos are large enough for you to see the pure delight that is written on their faces.

First, there is my mom holding tightly to a powerful pulling kite. The wind had picked up considerably. She joked later that if she had the breaks off the walker that she sat on – it would have pulled her across the parking lot. (Now there is a new idea – wind surfing for seniors on walkers in a big parking lot! – Next time – YES!)

Next photo is of Sherwood sitting in his lawn chair just watching and feeling his kite’s tug. He sat for a long time just savoring the moments. Sherwood was young again. And as memories filled his thoughts – he grinned from ear to ear. Kite flying does that for old people you know – it helps them grab something that went a long ago – childhood. That is why I do it…

Oddly enough when I announced this activity on Sunday morning I saw the heads shake from side to side as one person asked another if they were going to the picnic in the evening. One senior looked at another with the “You have got to be kidding!” look. “That activity is for children – not for grown up Christians! We need preaching at us – not fun with children!” (I can feel a sermon illustration coming on soon…)

The third photo is one that I will cherish for years to come. In this photo you will see my mom sitting on her walker – and holding tightly to her kite string. High in the sky is a dancing kite that is having so much fun in the fast moving air. Standing beside her walker holding the side is her great grandson – Clifford – with a smile on his face. My mom is 75 years older than Clifford. Two worlds met for a special moment… and the camera caught it. This one is a treasure.

Pause and Plan for Pure Joy…
This summer mom and I plan to go canoeing. Within minutes we have Little Lake – with its huge fountain that is a tourist attraction. The canoe we have is very stable. Mom wants to try. Here is the next photo opportunity. Clifford and Emma, her great grandkids, love canoeing too. I can see more memory making times available.

Hey if you are in the area and would like to fly a kite sometime – call me. I love to be young again. If you would like to go for a canoe ride – we can do it. My full intention is to do these young activities for another 20 years at least – then adjust my way I do it then from my walker at that time.

The fellow across the street from us rides two different motorcycles. One is a low rider – soft and strong. I have a special treat for mom coming soon. My friend has offered to take us for a ride sometime. Hang on mom – you are going to love it.

This summer we will have at 5 more outdoor picnics at our church. Some may have to move indoors if it rains – but if it does – then we play board games or just talk, giggle and laugh. It will be good for all of us. Some of us don’t have that many more times to go on picnics…

If you are older – find a grandson and grand daughter and get young again. You only need a kite, some string and a little bit of wind. Go with the idea that this may be the last summer that you will have this chance. Time is running out and so is the wind to do it.

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~