Puddy To The Sea

One chilly evening last winter while watching the nightly news, my husband called me in to see a story of our local stranding team who had rescued a baby Harbor Seal.  "Puddy" had been attacked by a shark and washed up on our shores of Virginia Beach.  After a little over a month's time of rehabilitation and loving care, the team had deemed him ready to swim again.

Puddy smiles before heading off to sea.  Photo Source:  Pilotonline.com

"You should take the kids and head out tomorrow to see his release."

"Hmmm...You think?  I just have so much going on, and it's going to be cold, windy; I'm not so sure."

I mulled it over for a bit and finally decided to take the plunge and plan to see Puddy paddle back to the sea the next day.  This was a rare opportunity, and I wanted to seize it before it passed.

The four of us ready to see Puddy do his thing!

You know what?  We ended up having a top-notch time!  The children were fully immersed in kinesthetic learning at its best.  All our senses engaged to mark the experience in our minds.  The wind whipped our hair all around, we were chilly and bundled up, the sand stung our faces as we inhaled the salty air.  We shared the day with friends and were blessed to make some wonderful memories.

Puddy starting his journey back to sea.  Photo Source:  PilotOnline.com

And Puddy, for his part, was simply adorable.  He hopped out of his cage, took a long  look around at everyone; and, I promise, he stopped and smiled for the cameras.  No joke.  The seal smiled.

He was slow going at first, not quite sure that he wanted to go back into the wild sea where his last experience was that of near-death.

But I'd like to think that as Puddy considered his options on his way back into the frigid January waters, he realized that he had already faced probably the worst a seal could face, and he came out the other side.  I surmise that little Puddy realized that kindness is all around him; and as these strangers cheered him on and chanted his name, he knew everything would be okay. 

Look, I know he's just a seal, but a girl can dream, right?

Puddy swims again.  Photo Source:  PilontOnline.com

Today, seize that opportunity that comes your way to try something new, something different, something outside of your realm of ordinary.  Engage your senses.  Immerse yourself in the moment.


And as always, to God be the glory.  

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."  ~Colossians 3:17

Enjoy today,