Source: http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=151872&picture=reflective-water-background
The sun shimmered against an evergreen lake; reeds and long forgotten tree limbs stuck themselves from the glass surface reaching for sunlight. Bubbles rose and burst creating ripples giving the only clue that life was thriving under the surface.
Dock boards creaked under footsteps as a john boat was pushed into the shimmering water. The oars left a trail as it propelled the boat through the still lake. A turtle standing tall in the middle of the water was warming itself with the sun on a tree limb. When it sensed the presence of an intruder it dove deep into the evergreen, disturbing the reflection of the tree line and morning sky.
A young boy sat at the edge of a long narrow dock, kicking his feet against the surface making ripples radiate as if he were the focal point of the entire lake. With a handful of pebbles, he tossed each one to see which could skip the furthest. As the boat passed he gave a shy wave as his father, who stood tall, with narrow eyes and a warm smile; walked behind him in reassurance.
"Are they in love?" The boy asked his father watching the couple row past them.
"Well they might be. They certainly look happy but loves much more complicated sometimes" he replied looking down at his son.
"Well I know I'm in love. There's this girl in my class she's really pretty" he answered excitedly.
"Oh is that so. Is that the only reason you love her?" His father answered becoming interested.
"Umm well she's the prettiest girl in the class and the teacher always gives her good grades so yeah."
His father sat beside him on the dock, making it creak with age and he stared out.
"Well son, those are good things to love, but it's not always that simple. Look at the water and tell me what you see." He said pointing at the surface of the lake.
Unsure how the two were connected the boy confusedly answered.
"Well I guess I see the reflection of the sun and the trees and the clouds in the sky. It's beautiful out here this morning"
"Right!" His father praised. "Now look through the water and tell me what you see."
Confused the boy asked, "Well that's the same it's still just the water isn't it?"
"The water is the same yes but looking through the water isn't the same as looking at it. When you look through you see beyond the pretty reflection to what's inside the water or underneath the surface".
"But that's just the mud and dirt and a few gross looking plants. The rest is just dark", the boy retorted.
"Well yes that's true but there's life, like the turtles and the fish along with the darkness even if you can't always see it clearly" his father replied calmly.
"What does that have to do with anything dad?" The boy finally asked after thinking a moment.
"The water is a lot like people. You can look at them and see beauty and light and you can look past that shimmering surface and see a muddy, dark unappealing interior. Sometimes if you’re lucky enough when you look through someone you'll not only see those things but see life and light and a unique beauty all their own." His father answered as he joined his son in kicking his feet in the water.
"Dad what if I don't like that stuff just the reflection?"
"Well that's what love is. Love is loving not only what you see when you look at someone but loving what you see when you look inside of who they are. Loving them despite any darkness they might have and still finding a way to see their inner beauty."
"Is that how you felt about mom?" The boy asked looking down at his hands.
His father looked down at him with a smile but his eyes hid pain.
"I loved her more every day and do still. I loved her beauty and her darker sides. Looking through her was a labyrinth of wonder but I loved it all. Even without her I see her through you Daniel” he answered putting his arm around his son.
Letting a tear fall the boy replied. "I miss her."
A silent moment passed as they listened to the splash of a faraway fish and the croak of a frog the boy looked up at his dad, "I guess I'm not in love then."
"Maybe not yet" his father laughed "but if you keep at it I'm sure someday you might be. Now before you go running off after this girl of yours come up to the house and help me fix the loose floorboard".
They pair rose together and turned to leave the lake behind them. The young boy sprinted ahead making the ducks scatter and squawk while his father followed with a thin smile flooding his cheeks.
The couple continued to row across the lake into the rising sun; leaning in, they shared a kiss. Playfully using the oar to splash one another with the cool water they laughed and smiled as they floated away from the docks leaving everyone else behind them.