Take A Kid Fishing

Fishing is not in my wheelhouse. Don’t ask me for advice on fishing. Even though I spent some childhood years in Windsor, Connecticut, I have no recollection of going to the shad derby or even touching a fishing rod. So why am I writing about fishing?

According to Google: Taking a kid fishing can be a metaphor for teaching someone a valuable skill or experience that will benefit them throughout their life, fostering a sense of accomplishment and connection with nature. But for me it was much more. In August of 1999, when my two daughters were pre-teen age, our family went to China Lake in Maine for a week’s vacation. This was the first time we stayed on a lake and not by the ocean, mountains or in a city. I was in a new element, so I quietly observed what the folks were doing at the resort. I saw some of the men leave after breakfast in their boats for a day of fishing, while the other men left for golf or just hung around. The women seemed to enjoy hanging around and socializing or planning shopping trips. The kids also liked to fish and did this on their meager little dock. For some reason, I felt compelled to rent myself a boat and take all the kids out to fish in the middle of the lake. The parents gave the okay and about 10 kids were signed up.

So off we went one morning. We had heard the wailing of loons a lot the night before and I felt good about the new day. The kids were excited. The boat was crowded. Expectations were high. We reached the target area and began to fish. Unfortunately, we lost a fishing pole in the lake and caught but one fish. I was a bit concerned if this wasn’t a great idea. When we got back though, it was like we had won the World Series! The joy and pride on the faces of those kids was unbelievable. I guess I could now say mission accomplished.

Later, I recalled a sermon by Reverend Dr. Wesley J. Evans, his last sermon preached at Second Baptist church in 1993. The sermon was titled “Take a Kid Fishing”. It summed up his theology and philosophy on life. Invest some time with kids and you won’t be disappointed. Now I know what he meant, firsthand. So, take a kid fishing or to a ball game or whatever and experience the joy this year.