Only as we begin to know something — or someone — can we truly begin to love it. This thought came to me as I was reading a marvelous book about water. I should say: looking at the book, because the photographs of droplets and bubbles and steam are marvelous.
The author, Walter Wick, also created the photographs for the I spy series that so many of us pored over with our children. A Drop of Water was first published in 1997 — but somehow I missed it until just recently. Though written for children, it covers subjects like surface tension and condensation. Finally, I understand the capillary action that helps a plant “drink” water.
By the end of the book, I better appreciated water’s mysterious and beguiling ways; I had fallen in love with it — all over again. That makes it so much more precious to me.
We could all understand more about the basic elements around us. Air. Water. Soil.
Maybe that knowledge will lead us to wanting to protect this miraculous home we’re born into — and truly conserve it.
Maybe guilt trips about waste and pollution aren’t the way to motivate us to conserve.
Maybe it is awe and wonderment of this miraculous world that will lead us to change our ways.
So: Take a swan dive into your favorite swimming hole. Float down a river. Raise a cool glass of water to refresh yourself in summer’s heat. Cuddle up with your ten year old and wander through Walter Wick’s photographs.
Be thankful for everyday miracles. They deserve to be honored.
Have a safe and happy Fourth of July, everyone!