There are lots of times when we expose Grace to new experiences. Of course some she enjoys more than others. We took her kayaking several times last year, and she tolerated it, but it was clear that she prefers land over water.
This past weekend, we went out again. This trip was different. I got this sense from her that, while she wasn’t totally comfortable with the whole ‘this-boat-rocks-too-much’ feeling, she had resolved to make the most of it. She limited her whining (thank you, Grace) and settled in to observe our surroundings. Her gaze followed the flying birds overhead and the grazing turkey on the shore. When we stopped to listen to the fish smack on bugs, she feigned interest, too.
We stopped after an hour or so and all made way to a wooded area to have our sandwich (she got treats, too) and she was able to stretch her legs while chasing a chipmunk or two. How bad can a day be when you get to do that? She found ways to incorporate her favorite activities into the excursion.
Grace offered good advice for all of us from this trip. Go with the flow. Roll with the punches. Find things you enjoy even when you’re asked to do things you don’t always want to do.
