The scenario:
Saturday after New Year’s Day.
The giant mall in the middle of Chicago was packed. No place to park. Nerves were frayed.
I was there for the sales – many up to 75% off the already reduced prices. Might as well take a look.
Turned into yet another aisle hoping for a parking spot.
Jammed on my brakes. I nearly hit him.
Him was a white duck as big as a turkey strolling leisurely across the road.
Behind, another duck – and another – and another – and a mother with eight chicks – and another.
Traffic was stopped in both directions. And, they kept coming.
People started honking loudly behind me. And from the other direction.
They angrily got out of their cars -
An accident? Some jerk waiting for a spot to park?
The ducks continued to march slowly, serenely, in precision formation. Not a feather was ruffled with all the noise and the crowd which had assembled.
Where did they come from? Where were they going? There was no water for miles.
Suddenly, it became a friendly crowd of strangers. Video phones to record the event were pulled out – children gathered out of their car seats to watch. Everyone was laughing. Bargain shopping forgotten.
I smiled all the way home. Stopped obediently at every stop sign. Did not blow through one yellow traffic light.
I had planned to take the tree down. But why now? Today. It still looked so pretty.
What’s a few more days?
What’s the rush?
{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }
Very nice. Happy New Year – enjoy that tree!
Michelle Vandepass last blog post..I Reached My 2008 Goal With Hours To Spare!
What a cute story! I feel calm now heading out to buy groceries. No honking for this turkey
What a joy this article was and a great reminder to stop and watch the ducks when you can’t smell the roses. Reading your post is a wonderful way to usher in the new year. Sharon
Sharon Becks last blog post..The Truth About Blogging…It’s Scary!!!
Dear Sharon -
I empathize with you! It is scary especially when you don’t have a thought in your head on what to write.
I know Yaro advocates “pillar articles” – long ones – but I have had the most success with posts of 750 – 1000 words. And even shorter.
People are so busy – and shorter posts are easier to read.
I still do some long ones but it is less scary if you write even as little as 250 words.
That’s all my latest post is. It was fun telling that story about the ducks!
Don’t give up. You are a great writer. You will find your ideal pace!
Thanks, Michelle -
The tree is still up. Maybe until spring?
I might learn to like this not rushing!
Raymond – loved your stopping by and your nice comment.
Come back soon.
You might stop honking permanently!
I love duck stories !! This one is so heartwarming. I am focused on another duck story now – a lame duck and I am counting the days until the “Mission Accomplished Duck” is out of his DC residence and we can have some adults taking over. I can just picture the main duck and all his sycophant ducks taking a long walk back to Texas or wherever that collection of incompetents came from …. 16 days but who’s counting … I wonder how many cars will stop for them?
You always just bring it out on me!!!! Happy New Year.
Oh, I love this story. So amusing, relaxing and interesting.
Raymond Chuas last blog post..Happy New Year 2009
Happy New Year Corinne!
Great story! I had a little incident that same exact day – only my story is that someone backed into my car at Starbucks causing $3000 worth of damage to my car, but the miracle is that it was a holy encounter and we were actually laughing about it. By the grace of God every day i realize there are no accidents, just encounters, and my decision is to get angry or to stay happy … I choose happiness! I found myself actually apologizing to the guy who hit me because i recognized him as my brother and i felt bad that he hit my car and would have to pay for damages. he was smiling, like it made his day that i wasn’t upset with him, and that just made me MORE HAPPY.
Lisa Natolis last blog post..2009 Workbook/Daily Gorgeous for God Blog by email for one year
Wonderful story! Sometimes it takes the unexpected to make us realize that life isn’t all about hurrying up to get somewhere. Watching a family of ducks slowly marching together reminds us how beautiful it is to spend time with our family.
Pacitas last blog post..101 Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding – Part 9: Wedding Rings
How something like a few ducks can pacify an otherwise irate motorist in a traffic jam is something the scientists should look into! Perhaps we should all take one with us whenever we go for a drive.
Ant Harpers last blog post..How to build a brand for your business
Dear Lily Rose -
What would we do without you?
You always come up with a new spin.
I hear that your “Mission Accomplished” banner is already on your house!
Dear Lisa -
I love the way your study of A Course in Miracles always comes through for you.
I am also working on it – but I don’t know if I would be such a good sport.
Thanks for tuning in here. Happy New Year, Lisa!
Dear Ant -
Thanks for your suggestion. Good one.
But you would need a big vehicle to achieve your goal!
There must have been fifty or sixty ducks in that parade!
Maybe more. It went on for a half an hour.
Dear Pacita -
Hope my new resolution to stop rushing around and multi-tasking lasts for a while.
Got to get control of my ADD!
As Raymond says, it is more relaxing to stop rushing!
Corinne, you are a great storyteller. That is such a wonderful talent that enriches the lives of everyone who knows you. My husband also has that talent.
Don’t you just love the way that God/your Higher Power/the Universe sometimes steps in and tells us to slow down and enjoy Life and the present moment. This time He used a bunch of ducks. I love Nature in all forms. 2009 is going to be a glorious year for everyone who takes the time to appreciate it.
Patricia – Spiritual Journey Of A Lightworkers last blog post..Gratitude—No New Year’s Resolutions For Me
I’ve always like ducks. They’re so much less aggressive than geese, and they’re prettier.
I agree that we put a lot of pressure on ourselves – especially during resolution season – and it’s great to have a reminder that there isn’t any hurry.
Dear Patricia -
Love this part of your comment -
“Don’t you just love the way that God/your Higher Power/the Universe sometimes steps in and tells us to slow down and enjoy Life and the present moment.”
I slowed down so much that I lost all interest in buying anything in the stores and just went home.
Which was fine. I didn’t need anything anyway!
Dear Maria -
I don’t make resolutions anyway. Sick of breaking them every year.
I also love ducks. I live on Lake Michigan and there are so many here with all their chicks. Especially in the spring.
But this parade was exceptional. It must have been a whole village.
What a great article! We have ducks and you described them so well I could see it in my head as I was reading. And what a great ‘moral’ to get out of the story. I certainly agree with you, I know I’m healthier and happier when I slow down and let myself enjoy life. But I also need constant reminding to keep me from falling back into that stressed-out groove. So thanks for the reminder!
Dear Donna -
Glad you recognized your duck friends!
The thing that was the additional lesson here for me is how totally unconcerned the ducks were.
Not one turned a head to look at the crowd. They were only dedicated to the journey. It was as though we did not exist.
I’m thinking about that. We listen to too many people instead of trusting ourselves.
Thanks for stopping by. Come back.
great title for this post! it also got the song “walk like an egyptian” playing in my head this morning.
i live in nyc, and advice like this is always welcome — and needed! thanks!
Dear Jackie -
As a former New Yorker, I have to admit that the Midwesterners are generally more laid back and polite.
EXCEPT WHEN IT COMES TO GETTING A PARKING SPOT!
Then they can compete with the best of us – although it does help if you have had your basic training in New York!
(I win a lot!)
Glad you enjoyed my ducks. Come back and visit.
What a cute and nice story! Sometimes if we are too busy and can’t stop or slowed down ourselves, there will come a time in our life that somebody or something may make us slow down in order for us to realize and appreciate the simple joys in life.
Totally cool!
Being the Change I Wish to See – Sherris last blog post..POTUS-Elect Obama: Keep Your Blackberry!
Great story. Touches anyone who reads it.
bernie
Very nice read and as a former Duck owner really appreciated it.
I love this story. It really proves a good point.
Something similar recently happened to me. I’ve been putting off getting contacts for a long, long while. Part of the reason was financial, part of it was just a fear they would make my eyes weaker and start a bad cycle of getting stronger and stronger prescriptions.
My insurance giving job is about to bite the dust, so this was my last chance and I finally got the contacts. I get home from my job around 10 PM typically. Last night I was wearing my contacts and it was a whole new world.
Everything was brighter. It wasn’t nearly as scary or lonely feeling as it used to be. I felt extremely uplifted. The only difference. I could see what was going on. I could see the ducks. And now everything was a lot happier
.
Thanks again for your post!
Sincerely,
Bryan
Dear Bryan -
Everything new is a little scary. I commend you for taking the opportunity to “see what was going on!”
There are “ducks” to be seen everywhere if we only take the time.
Good luck on your quest for new creative endeavors. You will know them when you see them.
I appreciate your very sincere comment.
What a wonderful lesson for the new year. Why are we all rushing around?
I will remember the ducks the next time I’m in traffic.
Love, Junie