At the very edge of the Horizon, the tip of the Mountain, or the Edge of the water splashing onto the shore is a phenomena. Once a Person reaches the destination weather they chose to go on that journey, or they were hijacked by another into it. they usually look back in utter astonishment and gratitude at what they have accomplished. Feeling so much stronger for their efforts. The journey may not have been what was expected In fact i don't know a single person who would want to take this journey voluntarily, Many Mothers and Fathers try to shelter their children from it. But it is a Journey that we must all eventually take, Its happens somewhere in there between taking our first steps, our first kiss, moving out, acquiring a family, gaining a knowledge of religion, and then eventually Death. I have taken this trip more times than i can count on all of my fingers and toes combined. Sometimes I think I could almost go into shear panic just thinking about taking another one! I always pray that i don't have to, but then i pray in gratitude afterwards for it. Its kinda a strange this thing that happens... I will never get used to.
Ever heard of Rowing your own Boat? I have and did, several times. It happens like this. The first time you might not even know how to get in a boat let alone row one, but you get shoved in anyways and handed the ores. If you were observant before it happened to you, you could have seen how others handled it,but if not you just have to go it alone. Suddenly your cast out faster than you could ever paddle stuck in the lake closer to the unfamiliar shore. Oh, sure there are others on the lake watching over you... but no one will do anything to help you reach the shore.(usually because they are trying to row their own boats.) They might stop you from completely drowning , but getting to that shore is on you!
So here you are... stuck in the middle of unfamiliar territory, no Google on how to get out of it, So you look at your options. its either sit and wait for a rescue, or try to row. if you sit there to long the waves start and try taking over the boat.(sorry, that is just the law of nature.) so then again you reevaluate your options, Row or Sink! You begin to Row, you row longer than you ever thought that you could, your arms become tired, your mouth becomes parched, and your eyes are crackling dry and red from all of the tears you've shed. Every part of your body becomes exhausted. You know that you just cant take any more. You say to yourself i am done! and just as you go to stop rowing, the waves get bigger and start to bury your boat over, if you aren't close enough to shore yet, you start to row faster forgetting how tired you just were. Your survival mode kicks in in full force. As the waves take over your boat. If your lucky you get to keep the boat, but if not your thrown into the depths of the water. Your options just changed again, To Sink or To Swim. You might hear someone rowing by shout out to you (don't give up! Swim!) and that becomes another reason to swim.
You Swim... and you Keep swimming... finally you reach the shore. you crawl onto the sand, and rest. Then you stand up and look back, the other side of the shore is now like a world away. You are Strong, Confidant, More Compassionate and even thankful for the journey! Your thankful for what you had and lost, and you will always remember it. You start living life again. Your stronger and more aware and you shout out to others to keep swimming! Then the strangest thing ever happens, You do it again. and you dread it, but you know you can do it. It is a right of passage journey that everyone goes on eventually. The question is When you get thrown into that boat, are you going to Sink or Swim? I hope that you Keep Swimming my Friend!
You might not know how to row your own boat, but when the time comes, Do it anyway. Row like the dickens, if your boat sinks, Swim like a fish and keep swimming... eventually you'll reach the shore.
~P. Kate Hancock~
Dedicated to my Mom A Cancer Survivor, And my Dad A Heart Attack survivor.
And to my many loved ones that I have lost to terminal Illness's... I miss You!
