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Words that feel good  
 
 
 
December 2007

A Beautiful Thing

An intricate system of canals winds across the Phoenix valley.  This system was conceived over 1000 years ago by the Hohokam Indians.  Today, the canal system delivers water just like it did for the Hohokam, but it has been beautified for recreational purposes.  So, a few times a week, I ride my bike along the canal to a riparian preserve that is home to over 150 species of birds.

Usually, I stop in the preserve, rest for a bit, then head home.  But the Monday of Thanksgiving week, I felt compelled to keep riding past the preserve – so I did.  I had not ridden far when I came upon a kind little old man with a very large hat, only one shoe and dripping wet clothes. 

He had plunged his three-wheel bicycle into the canal and somehow managed to crawl out.  By my estimates, he had fallen about 9 feet into only 3 feet of water.  He was bruised and scraped but otherwise okay. 


I found a good neighbor in his backyard who lent me a roller brush handle and a telescopic pole so I could pull out the bicycle and other paraphernalia.  As I rode this kind gentleman home, he told me that he lost track of where he was because “he was looking at the fish in the canal.”  He also expressed gratitude that he did not have his hearing aids in, because “they cost a thousand bucks a piece.” 

By the time I got home, I had missed a scheduled phone meeting and got a much later start on my day than I normally like.  But I got to do more important work for a few wellness moments.  And importantly, I was in the right place at the right time to receive a great message about gratitude… and right before Thanksgiving.