Harbour Lights

By Nicolas Bocskai

The spring season on the farm had begun. The children were on spring break from their respective schools. Chores on the farm for each family member did not go unattended. The feed had to be put out each morning and afternoon for the chickens and hens. "Old Man" rooster was the supervisor and watchman over the Lady Hens. No fox would come against this family gathering. A day ago, rainstorms had soaked the pastures of the farm homeland and had continued overnight. It was a blessing from God. The clouds had begun clearing the scene by mid-morning. When the rain

The trees and flowers of the fields had started to make head way with their spring blossoms. The winds were slight among the fields and branches of the peach and apple trees. The farm windmill revealed the ever present, post winter, spring breezes in it's rotation movement. As for this, the winds were still cool during this post season time. The windmill produced partial electricity for the farm generator, with added power, since the family was isolated from city utilities and electricity.

The farm main house was big and spacious and housed the entire family including children who most likely grow into adulthood here. Service and loyalty to the Family Tree was valued a must by the guardians. The children accepted this because it was fun to grow up here. Life on the farm had real worth and purpose to the young people. The work was steady and developed real character in the young children. Besides, it was rewarding to be apart of the Peanut Industry in the heartland of the Hampton Roads area and nation.

The farm was located in the northern borough of Suffolk, Virginia where the Nansemond and James Rivers' meet. The plot of land there, along the shore, was prime property for the Peanut Farm, which had been established there for many years. To the north, across the harbour was Newport News and Hampton. To the east was Chesapeake, Portsmouth, and Norfolk.

At a later time and day, the summer season would arrive. The weather always has an impact on the activities of the harbour masters' in Hampton Roads, for their daily duties are numerous and quite busy at times.

The harbour sun was setting quickly along the western horizon with the end of a
days shipping activities. At Old Point Comfort, the sunset brought the U.S. Army guard at Fort Monroe, on the peninsula, to the flagstaff pole at the U.S. Army gazebo park. The color guard was there to retire "Old Glory," our national flag, for the day.

It is the summer season when moderate winds blow over the harbour waters. As the sunsets, scattered stars, above, began to come into view in the evening sky. The overhead clouds have moved out to sea and the warm weather gives the sensation of possible rain and thunderstorms in the evening. The smell of rain is in the air with more clouds to come, which will move in from the western heartland of the nation, into the Hampton Roads regional area, later this night.

In the harbour, the anchored cargo freighters were moored inland just beyond Fort Monroe offshore near Newport News. This is the harbour entrance to the James River. The ships were being powered up for their individual electrical needs. Soon they were humming on the harbour waters'. The steady engine vibration served as a background scenario with the sound of the squawking seagulls at Fort Monroe's extended fishing pier. The gulls were numerous as they darted and dived back and forth along the pier, for they were hungry for the fisherman's treat.

The setting summer sun had a slant to it, as the seagulls were getting more aggressive in their quest for the fisherman's catch. Just before leaving for the day, one fisherman decided that he would not be stingy with his catch for the day. Curious to know, he tossed one fish into the breeze and floating gulls above the pier, at which, a more aggressive hungry one took bate to right in mid-air.

Yes… it was a most spectacular day upon these harbour waters. Two ocean going U.S. Navy tugboats were entering Hampton Roads harbour. Their destination was the Norfolk Naval Base. They were sounding their horns as they passed Old Point Comfort at Fort Monroe and soon they would be at pier side at this early evening hour. They had just entered the Chesapeake Bay about two hours ago and the crews were weary from sea duty that they had pulled for the last month in and along the mid-Atlantic coastline. With the dusk sky and engine sound of the tug, the running lights were glowing with move-
ment in the waters under the night lights of the natural harbour. The effect of the summer sunset painted a sky quite beautiful at this hour with colors of purple, orange, and red in the distant cloud cover at the horizon.

With the evening sunset, the harbour lights began to glisten with points of light on the harbour water. The clouds had moved on now and the skies were clear. The light-house at Old Point Comfort had begun to shine, as it was ignited in the crystal clear night sky, sending a beam to those far off the peninsula on the Chesapeake.

A few lone fishermen had arrived at Old Point Comfort fishing pier for the night. Seldom was anything unusual caught here… usually spot, croaker, and an occasional red-striped parachute jellyfish which floated effortlessly just beneath the surface of the water. Sometimes, sand sharks were caught out toward the mouth of the bay at the bridge-tunnel. Although they pose no real threat to humans, the name sand shark makes everyone aware of possible harm to their lives.

Yes, the stars were out tonight with a crescent moon, which reflected on the harbour water. The seas were quite calm also and the warm harbour breeze slight.

Looking up to the heavens at a time as this makes a person wonder who could be behind the creation of such a world. It is quite an experience to feel the beauty of God's Earth and know that you must be very special to Him for Him to place you here. Where did the Earth come from? Where is it going? It is our responsibility to take care of our home planet. It grieves me to see man destroying it with pollution. Someday everything will be recyclable so we won't have to worry about the environment too much. Everything will return to the Earth just as man does in death. One dies… one is born with a purpose, under the stars of God. We are here to fulfill His mission of carrying on the progress of the world. Whatever our talent, whatever our task at hand, let's be sure that we do it with pure motivation in our heart.