
As I'm swimming along and gathering with others swimming and floating along the way I notice that there is a couple at the shore edge being helped out of the water. My first thought was "hey, how come they get to get out earlier", but quickly
change my thought to "its better to stay in the river" as I see and hear their cries. Yes, stay in the river and swim to the end, that is best place to be.
I woke up shortly after that. That was where we were in our journey of childhood cancer with our middle child. We had walked off a cliff we didn't see, floundered a bit as we asked "why, why our son, why our son with special needs, why our family, why us, why me." We found our way among others on a similar journey ahead of us that were more than willing to be supportive and encouraging. And yes, the reality of those who left the journey early to start a different journey of loss and grief.
Now we are further down the river. The waters are calmer and the sky sunnier. The river is still going on. How long is it, I don't really know... but I like swimming too and we are together.