It’s been a long cold winter this year. Oddly, just like last year, we haven’t had much snow. Gladly, this year didn’t bring us terrible ice storms like we’ve had the past few winters. There’s nothing more unpleasant than seeing ice take a toll on trees which were planted many years ago.

The fish in my little pond didn’t fare as well this year as they have the last few winters. My pond is deep, but not large. I’ve learned over the years that maintaining a pond is a complicated endeavor. Frogs and other little critters, find their way to the pond. As such, 10 or fewer fish is the ideal size. When I first began to care for fish in the pond, I had to learn how to keep the balance. Something had to circulate or aerate the water in the pond. At first, I was feeding the fish in the pond, which on the surface made sense, until it became obvious that wasn’t the way. If one believes in a great design, one need look no further than a pond ecosystem maintaining its own balance and supporting life all by itself to astound the mind and soul. With that, my main challenge the last 4 winters has been dealing with hard freezes. The pond’s not large enough for the fish to survive long periods without a thaw. Sadly, they run out of oxygen and perish. Unfortunately, this happened to a few fish this winter. Next winter I will find a way to keep the pond from being completely frozen for more than a week.

I lost two fish, who had happily lived in the pond for the last 4 years, in balance and harmony. When the ice thawed and that discovery was made, it was a sad one. It’s like losing a few friends. Contrary to what people may believe, fish have personality and they are social. I’ve re-added a few new fish for the others that survived, and hope they will be happy with their new family members. It takes thoughtfulness to keep life, and as I age, it’s another reminder, that’s the moral of the story. Cherish life while it’s here, because it’s fleeting, and will change in the blink of an eye.