Today, as Gaia and I drove to work and school, I had one of those moments. It is good to occasionally be reminded that this tiny person, who most of the time I'm pretty sure I'm screwing up forever, is ultimately going to be ok.

Gaia: "Daddy, you know what I would wish?"
Gabe: "What, honey?"
Gaia: "I would wish that bad things wouldn't happen."
Gabe: "Oh. ... Why do you ask? Are bad things happening to you?"
Gaia: "No. I just wish that flowers wouldn't have to die, and that it would always be sunny, and we'd always know where we were going."
Gabe: "Wow. That's a big wish."
Gaia: "Yeah, but I always forget to make it."
Gabe: "That's a pretty big wish for a little girl. I love you for it, but you can't stop all the bad things in the world, no matter how hard you try."
Gabe: "You can only try to be a really good person and be kind and respectful. Some things have to take care of themselves."
Gaia: "Yeah. But its sad."

I wonder if this wish is related to something that happened this summer.

This summer, we took the boat out to Little Star Lake. There is a sandy beach and a marked swim area where Gaia likes to splash around. And since it's attached to a park of some variety, there's a good chance of there being other kids for Gaia to play with. Its one of her favorite places. Anyway, against the advise of ladies who know better, we tried to head out to the beach there one day.

We pulled the boat over to a parking spot, and realized that we'd ended up in a cluster of people who were drinking beer, smoking cigars and blasting music.

So we left.

My heart sunk as we were left to explain to a sobbing child that some people do not seek to partake in the lake's beauty, but instead feel perfectly justified to conquer and consume their beauty. She wailed as we scooted away, "Why? Why would anyone be like that?"

"Because they are bad people," I said.

The waters of Manitowish Lake were nearly impassable that day, I can tell you. The chop was as vicious as I have ever seen it.

I am grateful that they have been calmer lately. I do believe we can make a difference in this world.