I like the quiet slice of a canoe through the water. The soundless dip of the paddle and the barely-there ripple of the water is a peaceful ballet. But when the water’s rough or if you have a partner who tends to lean over the side and doesn’t care to sit very still, you don’t really want to be in a canoe.
It’s the same with a kayak. The people who like kayaks seem to enjoy close proximity to the water, don’t mind a sunburn on the top quarter of their legs, have a pretty dependable paddle stroke, and can actually get out without getting wet. That is to say, kayaks are great for some folks, but not for others.
Now a speedboat is another thing entirely. You can really move in those things! You can see more of a body of water in less time as long as you don’t mind your hair blowing every which way and didn’t plan to carry on a conversation at normal decibels.
Some people like pontoons. No comment.*
But often boats are used for more than leisure. Ask anyone who fishes for a living or who is part of the Navy. They would tell you that the type of boat is determinative to success. And although the design might change, a good boat has been an important and dependable means of moving to a desired destination since the Stone Age.
There was a time in our nation’s history when its citizens were fighting heart and soul for freedom from King George. They didn’t want his unreasonable regulations. They wanted to be in charge of themselves while he wanted to call the shots. We haven’t thought about it for a long time – too long – but subjugation manifests in all sorts of ways. Some people are serfs without even recognizing it. Imagine that.
Anyway, by Christmas of 1776, some of the soldiers were ready to go home. They were cold, without adequate winter clothing, low on food, and lower on morale.
Thomas Paine penned his now famous words around that time, and General George Washington asked that they be required reading for every soldier.
These are the times that try men’s souls; the summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.
The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. Think about that for a minute. The men who read it did. Those words gave heart to men who were war-weary battling for freedom. What they needed was a miracle. Freedom is sometimes preceded by miracles. God is, after all, the freedom-giver as well as a miracle-worker.
Their General planned a surprise attack at a time when the enemy would least expect it: Christmas night. They couldn’t use just any boat. They would need strong cargo vessels to cross the Delaware. The weather than night was awful – a regular hurricane of a storm: driving rain, sleet, and snow. But it was a victory or death situation, and cross they did despite below-zero temperatures and the storm.
What an inspiration they are to us these hundreds of years later! They persevered despite privations, fear, and exhaustion. They continued on because some things are more important than uncomfortable feelings or distress. They kept going at the behest of an admirable General and the dictates of their own conscience. Bravery is a righteous quality, and there are times when shrinking back is – I’ll let you ponder that. Our entire nation has them to thank for the freedoms we have known since birth.
And the boats which carried them across?
DURHAM
* No, actually I do have a comment since I was corrected after this essay was first written. Apparently, I missed the point of such crafts: party! Okay. I can get on board with that. Quote: from The American Crisis by Thomas Paine; image: Washington Crossing The Delaware https://img.wallpapersafari.com/desktop/728/410/20/56/yOSaQE.jpg