The Wannabe Miracle Worker

Have you ever found yourself in a situation of total helplessness, knowing that something drastic needed to be done, but you were unable to lift a finger to change the circumstance and felt paralyzed by your lack of command over the sad state of affairs?  

And you knew that nothing short of a miracle would save the day?   Feel alone no more.                 

A sunny, blue-sky day when all is tranquil and bright.  A perfect moment for taking my black lab to the quiet peaceful lake for a long walk.  Where geese glide across still waters without a care in the world…

 Until I make the mistake of unleashing Rip for a split second, then watching in horror as he takes off like a rabbit and speeds toward the water, sending a gaggle of geese scattering skyward and honking louder than the trumpet of God at the second coming.  

A man stands in his solitary spot, fishing and minding his own quiet business, witnessing this disruptive scene in silence.  I gaze in shock as my dog paddles across the lake, pretending he’s deaf and ignoring my bellowing commands to “COME RIP!”  And oblivious to my shrill, non-stop whistling.

Now all that’s visible of my dog is his head and chin gliding across the water, diminishing by the minute as he swims out of sight.  All the while these shocked and peeved geese still sound the alarm, alerting all creatures for miles around of imminent danger.

Shock gives way to embarrassment.   What to do now?   I can’t up and leave my dog at the lake.  He must think he’s died and gone to heaven, but wait ‘til I find him… just wait.  I mosey over to the fisherman for lack of anything better to do, and state the obvious.  “How’s the fishing going?”

You’d have thought I was a bee by the way he stands there stone silent at my presence, waiting for me to buzz off.  Without batting a lid or turning my way he simply says, “It was alright.”  Omitting, until you came along. 

No matter how many times I mentally pray the words, Peace be still, Peace be still, the geese remain flustered and the fisherman goes home out-of-sorts and empty-handed.   Near dusk my water-logged dog shows up and I drag him into my freshly vacuumed car and drive away. 

So what does all this have to do with Annie Sullivan and Helen Keller and becoming a miracle worker?   Boot camp training, that’s what.  Stay tuned for Where the Wild Things Are. 

Now for the question of the day.     

When have you experienced a moment of downright helplessness and total desperation?