A child learns of nature
Don Schmitz & Grandkidsandme

A grandfather and his grandson named Jimmy, age 6, and I were canoeing on Lake Wapogasset. It was an absolutely perfect day. The water was still, the sun was shining and the temperature was around sixty degrees. 

As we canoed quietly across the lake, we spotted a Great Blue Herron standing near the cat tails. We approached quietly and Grandpa pointed the bird out to Jimmy.  Jimmy watched and watched as he had never seen such a large bird before. 

When we were very close, the bird vaulted itself into the sky and majestically flew just ahead of our canoe and a few drops of water dropped on Jimmy’s head.  Jimmy's instant response was, "Isn’t nature wonderful?"

There I was feeling so proud for providing this wonderful opportunity to observe nature at its best.
 
I was still excited when I ran into Jimmy and his grandfather later at lunch. I commented to Grandpa about how much I believe Jimmy learned that morning about nature.  
 
He started to laugh and told me the rest of the story. As soon as they got back to shore and was alone with his Grandpa, he asked, "What is nature anyway?"

Isn’t it wonderful that Grandpa was there to share this moment?

Don Schmitz is a popular speaker and writer on parenting and grandparenting. He is the author of The New Face of Grandparenting…Why Parents Need Their Own Parents and founder of The Grandkidsandme Foundation and Grandparent Camps. Don holds graduate degrees in Education, Administration and Human Development. He is the father to three sons and nine grandchildren. Contact Don@grandkidsandme.com