NO WAKE ZONE

      I am not a "boat person" by any stretch of the imagination. I can usually identify a boat, and can tell you which end goes through the water first, but beyond that, I am stretching it. 
      I have on occasion ventured out on the water as a passenger in a sea-going vessel (or river, lake, etc..) where I either fed the fish, or watched as others enjoyed the water by skiing or swimming. 
      My water displacement qualities come close to that of a rock or cement block, while my swimming ability matches that of a crowbar, so I don't leave the safety of the boat. 
      I have enjoyed being on the water at times, especially when we were joined by a small group of Dolphins in Tampa Bay, or when a member of our fishing group hooked a large tuna. I have also operated the boat while towing a skier and had fun doing that. 
      But no matter what the excitement or level of fun we had while out and about, as we get close to the docks, there is always a "no wake" zone. Although it seems that a person could swim faster than a boat operating in one of these zones, a responsible boat owner knows that these zones exist for three main reasons. 
     First and foremost, no wake zones exist to prevent injury, as a large wake could swamp a smaller vessel or push it into the dock or another boat, leading to possible injury of its occupants. No wake zones also prevent damage to other boats and the docks themselves, and finally, no wake zones prevent damage to fragile environments, protecting nesting areas. 
     After a fast-paced time on the water, slowing down to a crawl can take patience to maintain. That patience pays off. Perhaps we should extend no wake zones into our lives as well. 
     We can make our homes the no wake zones. After a hectic day at work, school, or on the freeways, we should slow down and throttle back, so our words and actions do not cause a "wake" that can injure somebody we love. We should take care that our words do not overpower another person, or that our actions do not dash their hopes or feelings. 
      Does your entry into your home cause a large wave, causing your family to hang on until it passes? Or is your entry a pleasant ripple that gets you noticed, but not feared. 
      Think about it, and throttle back..