Ask Elnora--About Dolphins--Lenora Worth

I have a thing for dolphins. I don't do the word-for-this-year kind of stuff, but if I had a word I'd chose the word "dolphin". I fell in love with dolphins when I first started seeing them years ago at the beach. Then we went to one of those Seaworld show and I got wet by the dolphins. I've loved them for a long, long time. So one of my biggest thrills is seeing them out on the bay. I watch for them and sometimes they oblige me by showing up. I've talked about dolphins here before. But I thought about what dolphins have taught me--

1. Patience. It's nice to sit still sometimes and just watch and wait. God tells us to be still and know that he is God. Elnora has never been very good at sitting still, but I'm learning.

2. Strength. The dolphins are strong and sure. They can be playful and swift or they can be sneaky and hard to find. They know when to play and they know when to go to deep waters. We have to be strong and swift at times--when life is pulling at us like a tide, and at other times, we need to go into our upper room and be alone away from the pull of life. The dolphins go underwater. I call this going "underground."

3. Routine and a plan. The dolphins follow the tides and live by the rules of the sea. They have an instinct that allows them to be friendly to humans but also allows them to swim away from most dangers. We need a routine of sorts to keep us on track with our faith and we need a plan that allows us to stay out of the path of things that can lead to trouble.

4. Serenity. Dolphins are some of the most docile creatures I've ever seen. That teaches me to be at peace, to let go and breathe, to push through worries and fears and keep on swimming against the current. Not an easy task for a drama queen who can throw a hissy fit at any given moment.

I look toward the dolphins as my calming symbol. I love them because they are God's creatures. He sends them to me to make me stop and watch. What kind of animals do you love? What creature brings you joy?

Ask Elnora--About Dolphins???Lenora Worth

Hello, my little mermaids. Elnora loves dolphins. There is just something about these gentle, friendly creatures that draws us to look toward the sea. They are playful and they love to tap each other and, sometimes, humans too! They frolick and play but they are a vital part of our oceans and bays. Elnora prefers her dolphins wild and free rather than in a big pool doing tricks. Those are cute, don't get me wrong. But I like the surprise of staring out over the horizon and suddenly seeing a dark flipper or fin popping up out of the water. Now that I've been back and forth to the big bay, one of my favorite things to do once I get there is watch for the dolphins. The first time I saw one so close to the shore, I giggled with delight. Then it became a quest to see another and another. In our bay, they mostly travel two to three in a pod and do a beautiful dance across the water. This time there, I waited and watched and fretted. I was having a hard time accepting that I'd soon be moving across the country so I really needed to see those dolphins. It just seemed to me that if I saw the dolphins early in the morning, I'd have a better day. Something about them lowered my blood pressure and stopped my worries. But day after day, I didn't see any little gray fins or flippers. I sat on the deck and watched and waited and thought about how many miles inland it would take them to travel to get to me. They only like to come and visit when the water is warm. (And who can blame them for that.) Finally, I spotted one in front of the boat docks but I lost sight of it in the tree line. The next time they came Elnora was upstairs "powdering my nose" when Big Daddy called up and said there were several--or more like "more than I've ever seen. Hurry." Sometimes it's just hard for a girl to hurry. But I did. I managed to spot a couple before they went on there way to whatever play dates they had that day. We had one more spotting when some friends saw them and we all rushed down to the water's edge. Soon, however, it was time for us to return home and start packing to go back in a few weeks. I was still torn between loving the bay and leaving my home and friends and some family members when I go back to the bay for good. We had shut everything down that morning and closed the drapery over the glass door to our deck. While Big Daddy his usual pack and check list, I snuck to the curtains and opened them one more time. I just stood there, thinking of all the things I had on my mind and how I was going to deal with those things. And then, out of the blue three little fins popped up and flipped through the water, followed by three swishing flippers. Those dolphins put on a show for me and only me. I smiled and smiled and watched until my eyes grew bleary from the sun and from the beauty of it all. There is something about dolphins. They offer unconditional friendship and seem to know exactly when we need it. So ... let's discuss dolphins and other sea creatures? What is it that you love about the sea? Sometimes the world is full of sharks, but I know the bay will always bring me some dolphins. And that means God has sent me a little bit of grace.