She found herself at the lake. The lake spoke to her. It said, “What are you waiting for?”
“Easy for you,” she said, “you just get to be a lake.”
“I work hard at being a lake. I churn and I flow. I’ve got little things on me and in me all the time. Do you think I just happen to be a Great Lake? No, I became great by doing what I do best. I’ve been laking for a long time. I had to figure out what to do with all these rivers spilling into me. I had to learn how to tickle people’s ankles with my waves.”
“But that all comes naturally to a lake, doesn’t it?” she asked.
“Not just any old lake. I had to be the specific lake I am. I had to choose how I was going to lake. I could have been a shy lake or a bold lake, but I’m somewhere in between. I know people forget about me, but I’m okay with who I am. I’m an honest lake and I have integrity.”
“That’s why I like you,” she said. “You’re always here for me. You never pretend to be nice when you are having a bad day. You just throw those waves around and steal the beach balls, and then another day you are calm and as clear and shiny as glass. Your moods are so obvious.”
“I don’t see any point in pretending. I have enough to do just managing the currents.”
“Exactly. You would never worry about mowing a lawn, would you?”
“Heavens no, although I have tasted a few of them. Came right up onto them the other year when I drank a little too much. They are fresh and furry, but not worth the effort.”
“You’re a good friend, Lake.”
“Stop waiting. Be the whole human you are. Stop worrying what it will mean. I’ll always be here.”
“Thanks, Lake.”
