CALM ON THE WATER

Welcome, my dear friend!  I am so glad you are here.  

I thought I would be here sooner, but it took a little while to decide, or discern, where to begin.

It is so easy to go through life compartmentalizing everything into neat little morsels so that we can manage, but after awhile we realize that we're perhaps perceived by others only in part.  They can't see our whole anymore because we never really let it out.

So here I am, determined to walk out life to the fullest, whatever it includes, and determined to let the witness of all the pieces come together as one.....hopefully glorifying my God more fully in the process.

And maybe, just maybe, my journey will encourage yours.  Sometimes we need a little glimpse of someone else's adventures and challenges to reign us back in....to re-ground us...to let us know we are not alone.  We need a point of reference, if you will, and a moment to just breathe and then keep going.

Let me tell you a little story.

Last Labor Day, my son Joel and his beautiful bride Karis came for a visit.  We enjoyed games, great conversation, a local wine tasting....just enjoying each other's company.  On their last full day in the area, we decided to go out to the beach in South Haven.  I hadn't been out to the big lake all summer, and I was so excited to get my toes in the sand and water.  

Over the previous months, I had lost a considerable amount of weight, so I felt more than ready.  I felt more vibrant and strong than I had in a long time, so the experience that followed was a complete and terrifiying surprise. 

Joel and Karis delighted in the water together and swam out to the last markers for swimmers.  There was quite a crowd of other people savoring this last day of summer freedom before a new school year.  There was laughter and water play all around us.  

After awhile, Joel offered to help Cyan, my oldest daughter who has cerebral palsy, out into the waves.  It was pure bliss for her, every wave more exciting than the last.  

Then Karis invited me to swim out to the markers with her, and I gladly headed for the water at her side.  It felt so wonderful to step into the surf and make our way out from the beach.  When we had reached the intended goal, we just treaded water and chatted for a while. I occasionally turned over on my back to stretch and make the most of this terrific aquatic exercise. 

Eventually, I became aware that although the water did not appear particularly choppy, and the day was overall bright and beautiful, there was quite a pull in the water and it required some effort to resist drifting.  I set my sights on the members of our party on the beach to stay aware of my location.  And I began to sense a rapidly increasing fatigue.  

I grew up around water, and I understand that even on a calm day where there are no apparent hazards, water must be respected.  In a dual, water can win in a hurry.  

An anxiety began to rise up as I drifted slightly away from Karis, and treading water let alone heading back to shore seemed quite the chore.  Karis looked me in the eye and asked, "Are you okay?"

"No, I don't think so. Can I just put my hand on your shoulder?  I need to rest."

Karis is a strong swimmer, but even knowing that, I knew that anything can happen.  Swimming tragedies happen all the time in crowded pools, and lakes with plenty of people all around. I was so keenly aware that I could have gone under completely unnoticed.  I was so very tired.

But with Karis as my trusted point of reference out there in the water, I closed my eyes with my hand just lightly on her shoulder and we made our way back to where we could stand up and then reach the sand again.

I will never forget that experience.  I will never forget what a picture it was of the difference one person's strength and calm make to another's terrified peril.

I hope this blog can be an occasional calming point of reference for you, friend.  In this space, I will share my walk through marriage, motherhood, the world of special needs parenting, health recovery, a little music and creativity, and my desire to effectively advocate for the wounded.  Come along.  May you be refreshed, and find a little something that lifts you up along the way.

God Bless You!