Have you ever had a perfect day?

We haven’t been to the zoo in over eight months. That’s been okay for us, since…you know, it’s Phoenix. But now that the weather has simmered down a little, and is only getting into the 80s, we’ve emerged from our hibernation. Yesterday we were needing an animal fix, because when we lived in Wyoming there were animals everywhere all the time. There, we had moose, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, elk, wolves, bears, mule deer (whom we fed and helped raise during some of the coldest winter months), coyotes, mountain lions, sage grouse, wild horses, tame horses, bison, snakes, feral cats, tame cats…and the list goes on. Summer in Wyoming is paradise for animal lovers. It’s something we have sorely missed. When we first moved to Phoenix two years ago, we went into withdrawal despite the bounty of wildlife here—bobcats, coyotes, roadrunners, rattlesnakes (not our favorites), wild burros and horses, and our cat. So we purchased a yearly membership to Wildlife World Zoo, where we took advantage of everything we could as often as we could. When our membership ended eight months ago, we missed those animals so much. Recently, a friend from church, Carey, gave us a coupon for a two-for-one admission to the zoo, and we took it gladly. As soon as the forecast dropped out of the nineties, which was yesterday, we went. We got there soon after opening, and revisited the animals we had come to love during that year of membership. Mornings are the best time to visit this zoo because the animals are awake and awaiting breakfast and so they’re much more responsive to visitors. A hyacinth macaw, whom Mel named Herman, always comes to the front of his pen and greets us, poses for pictures, and makes great eye contact. We love Herman. We spent three hours at the zoo and were starving, so we indulged ourselves and went to the best pizza place in the state, which serves thick crust gluten free pizza. Church friends introduced us to this place last Sunday. It was as good as we remembered, and we had leftovers last night. Yesterday was a perfect day with all the animals and delicious food and time together. Mel reminded me that even this perfect day cannot compare to the perfect eternity we will have in heaven. “. . . Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” 1 Cor. 2:9 (KJV). I can’t imagine how much better it will be, since I have a limited imagination, but wow. Just wow. Until then, we will enjoy this life.