08/05/2025
What an absolute blessing it is to have the privilege of venturing into nature so often. It has been my one faithful constant, the grounding place where I always seem to find both peace and laughter. Thereโs a deep need in me for it, it fills a space nothing else can touch.
This time, Richard wanted to go to the waterfall, so of course, I got him all set up and packed enough food to last us the whole day. It was going to be an adventure! But the moment he stepped into the river, he saw a toad, and suddenly, he said "nope!" No way was he going into that water. The toad hopped away without us noticing, but by then Richard was on a mission of pure avoidance, darting around and hopping like he was the one being chased, running from bugs and who knows what else. I had to condition him like a little swimmer-in-training, lifting him up and gently placing him into the water.
And thenโฆ the magic happened. Once he got over that initial fear, he loved it. He became so comfortable he didnโt want to leave, soaking in the water like heโd been born to it. The whole day was calm, full of light-hearted laughter, and so incredibly peaceful. Moments like these remind me how truly blessed I am.