You have to duck down sometimes, or the light bouncing off the water is too bright. The water is so deep and clear, I swear you can see through to tomorrow. Poppa says if a person were to go all the way through the lake there's stars on the other side. I always wondered if that's why it feels so nice and warm.
When I got here, he was waiting just like he promised. He had been so busy it just blew me away. He'd built a dock of the smoothest light wood. It still had that fresh-cut smell. It went impossibly far out on the water, the supports must run very deep. Down both sides every few yards he'd placed benches formed from sturdy old pine boughes. They looked ever so wonderful and comfy.
Floating tied to one side was a beautiful wooden boat, just big enough for two people. He'd also made this one himself, there was no mistaking the skill with which it had been created. I had to giggle aloud when I saw the name on the side, Porpoise.
That was our joke. One time at the beach he asked me, "What did the shark say when when a dolphin bumped into him?"
"What Poppa?" I asked.
"You did that on porpoise!" he said with a rolling laugh and a slap of his belly.
The things we did, always made my life seem so special. How I love my Poppa. I wanted to take off running when he came walking down the hill. I hadn't seen him in so long. He waved with a big old grin on his face, motioning me towards the dock.
"They're practically begging to be caught today" he laughed, waiting to greet me with a huge hug. "You're looking good Michael, you grew up so much".
"Gosh it's good to see you Poppa, I really missed you" I said.
"Well we're together now" he said with a big welcoming smile. "We'll be together forever".
"Just like you promised Poppa" I laughed.
"Just like I promised" he echoed.
We strode the magnificent dock all the way to the end. The water was close enough to dip in our toes. It was so warm and clear. We cast our lines far into it's depthes, shoulder to shoulder, Poppa and me. The fish were certainly biting, and we laughed and smiled in the glorious summer sun.
"Poppa" I said "this is the most beautiful place I've ever been". "You built all this yourself, it's incredible".
"No Michael, I didn't build it by myself" he said "you helped me sand every board, drive every nail, to apply every single coat of paint." "I love you so much, I wanted it to be just right when you got here".
"But Poppa" I had to ask" how could you be certain that I was going to Heaven too?".
