Glub, Glub

Imagine being in a place where the temperature of your surroundings is exactly the same as your body temperature. In this place, you are free to dance, glide, twist, float, swim, hide, and show off. You are surrounded by your friends, enemies, potential food sources, and a bunch of other creatures that you simply co-exist with. This is how I imagine the creatures at the New Jersey Aquarium feel as they exist in their beautiful, spacious, and well-maintained habitats.

I visited the aquarium last weekend with my son, daughter-in-law, and my grandson. We arrived early to avoid the crowds, and Arthur was very excited as we walked through the different areas, passing by tanks of brightly colored fish, jellyfish, seahorses, sharks, and my favorite, stingrays. Even though he didn’t realize where we were, he knew he was seeing something he’d not seen before and was wide-eyed and awestruck.

I, too, am in awe, not just of Arthur, but also of stingrays. They are so mysterious and cool. I love how they seemingly glide through the water, descending from the top to the bottom and immediately blending in and becoming invisible against the rocks beneath. Though they can be dangerous and aggressive, they tend to be shy and non-confrontational as they float through the water.

What delights me the most is that they have a hidden side to them that I believe reveals their true natures. When you see the bottom of the stingray, a big, goofy, smiley face is revealed. I know this is blatant anthropomorphism, but it is impossible not to smile when you see them.

Speaking of smiles, Arthur was so delighted with our outing. He is just joy through and through. Happiness burbles from him, and all through the aquarium, he was squealing with delight, kicking his feet and waving his hands. He’s so close to walking on his own now. After a successful one-year check-up by the doctor last week, he has been cleared to eat grown-up food. How can he be a year already?

I’m looking forward to the weekend when we will embark on a new adventure here in my new home state, New Jersey.