We have an odd duck here at the lake this summer.  Normally, the abundant waterfowl are in large groups of similar attire. 

The Canadian Geese, large and very noisy, like to gather at the far end of the cove when the water is high and graze on the vegetation found there.  The Mamma Cormorant usually has a long trail of little ones swimming behind her.  Sometimes a male will accompany her, but generally, its mom and children. 

They are fun to watch.  They will swim close to the shore searching for good things to eat, but when I come to the edge of the deck to watch, they scamper away in a rush. 

I’m not sure how to assure them that I am not the enemy.  It’s an instinctive reaction on their part.  Mom doesn’t say a word.  She just turns for the deeper water and they follow without a protest.

However, we do have a loner here this summer.  An Odd Duck, so to speak.  I watched the lone bird wattling along the shore, picking at the debris and looking for something, maybe to eat.  I’m not sure.  Then I watched him in the water, all alone again, swimming slowly, back and forth in front of the cottage.  He has been here since we arrived.  It doesn’t look like he is going anywhere and doesn’t seem to be in any distress, just alone.

How do we treat the odd ducks that we encounter in our lives?  Do we treat them differently?  Should we treat them differently?  Then again, maybe we are all odd ducks in our own way.  While our instinct is generally to want to fit in and be like the others in our crowds, deep inside is a unique and “odd” individual. 

One who is loved unconditionally by God who created us each with our own special identity.  Who has known our names since before we were born and wants us to experience the happiness of eternity.

So, I guess that the answer to the questions above is:  we treat the odd ducks in our lives, as we want to be treated.  Yes, that old Golden Rule-the one given to us by Jesus, when He reminded us to “love God and love others.”

Terri

(I can’t take credit for this photo, as our odd duck is absent today and I could not get a shot)