Floating in oblivion on a resevoir of awesomeness

We just returned from the annual Clark family fishing trip, and all is well. No major meltdowns (well, except for the torrential floods of tears when it was decided that the Saturday night fishing trip would be grown-ups only. More on that later.) Only one major health issue, likely brought on by an abundance of sugar, and made more interesting by striking while we were on the water. More on that later, too. I want to begin by letting you know that I GOT SKUNKED! Not a single keeper! Seriously. Here is photographic evidence of my pathetic fisherwomanness this year.



That fish is not even bigger than my hand! But, I got to eat the keepers that other, more skilled fishermidgets brought back, and it was so, so, so good. I love fish, and I especially love trout that was very recently swimming. Nothing like it. Mmmmmmm...trout. Another reason I would fail at every attempt at vegetarianism. Here are the fishermidgets and their catch.




Okay,so here's what I did catch..... POP GEAR EARRINGS! On Saturday night (the kiddo free fishing event) when I pulled up the anchor I also pulled up a shiny string of metal lures. Now, most people would throw it back, or maybe recycle if they were feeling all adult and responsible. But not me. What do I think of when a shiny little piece of metal covered with muck from the bottom of the resevoir magically appears? Why, jewelry, of course. And maybe a really cool belt. And for those of you that squirm at the idea of wearing accessories that have been swimming with the fishies--get over it. Where do you think your water comes from, folks? Resevoirs. It gets cleaned, and then you drink it. Yep, you do. So the pop gear gets clean, attached to ear wires and I wear it. I love a good resevoir. I know, some of you are also shaking your heads right now, thinking--Clarky, you can go to the outdoor store any time, pick up all kinds of shiny metal fishing things to make jewelry with, sans mud and muck, you silly girl. To which I say--free and found is always cooler.

Another triumph this trip was earning my trailer backing merit badge. Usually one of my brothers pulls the boat while my poppy pulls the ATVs, but this year JP was home with Cathy who was on bedrest while awaiting the arrival of little Eva (yay for nieces! Can't wait to meet my new littlest best girl!) and Joel and Jill would be coming up late. So a couple days before at family dinner, Dad looked over at me and Marden and said "So you'll have to pull the boat." I thought he was talking to Marden, but he wasn't. I was going to be the boat hauler, and honestly, I was a little intimidated. But I swallowed my fear and did it. And get this, I backed the trailer onto the dock to launch, with another boat on the other half, even. It was only a little dicey at the beginning, and I had to pull forward and straighten out a time or two, but I did it. And when we got home, I backed the boat into the back yard, navigating the narrow passage without guidance, and placed it perfectly. I'm very proud of myself, and now am qualified to take the boat or the ATVs without help, thank you very much. Chicken Corners, here I come.

One of my favorite parts of the trip, though, is just hanging out with the fam and enjoying the company of my delightful nieces. These five little goobers are the joy of my life.

I adore these little faces, and having them in my life these last nine years has taught me a lot about love and how to love people. Kids are hard. They are unreasonable and often selfish. They see no reason to adjust their moods to suit other's needs. They are impulsive. They get sick, and when they do it likely will involve boogery secretions or explosions of poop. They are cranky if you let them get too tired or too hungry, but they usually don't want to stop whatever they're doing to sleep or eat. Kind of like me, minus the boogery secretions and poop volcanoes. I've mostly learned to control that. They've taught me about being patient, both with others and with myself. They've taught me to take responsibility for my own choices and show compassion for the choices that others make. We are, all of us, doing the best we can with what we know. They constantly remind me that life is cold and hard unless you greet the world with unrestrained exhuberance and an inexhaustible supply of laughter. Look at the smile on Mary's face. I don't think she has ever smothered a smile in her life. Of course, she doesn't really attempt to smother a tantrum yet, either, but that will come. The price of their affection is simply time and gentleness, and they forgive. They are always eager to learn something new (Susie is now a budding pool shark, and she kept trying, even though she's barely big enough to get her cue on the table). They have glorious lives ahead of them, and for all the anxieties Mom and Dad and grandparents and aunties and uncles might have about their futures, they will live tremendous lives. I'm grateful and honored to be a little part of their lives, and I can't wait to see what they become. If you want to know God, learn to really love a child.

Now, if you want to feel God, get thee to the hills, and drink in a view, maybe one a little bit like this...