Dear beautiful and powerful River,
Obviously, you sensed I was not treating you with the respect and admiration you deserve. I should have taken my slip on the rocks while getting into my kayak, the slip that bruised my arm and waterlogged and ruined my Dr*id as your way of saying, "ahem...."
But I didn't.
I should have realized that putting in farther upstream than usual in territory that includes rapids and rocks should have equaled 100% attention. Not,
I'll pay attention once I get myself settled in the boat and latch my bag to the lifejacket I never use but carry with me because its the law. So I suppose it is only fair that you flipped me in the narrows and left me to drift downstream in the swift and cold (and rocky, ouch!) water for a good 20 minutes before allowing M. and two lovely dudes in a canoe to help me get my shit together and back in the boat.
M. told me later they actually came in from the other shore when they saw we needed some help.
Oh the humility! Sure I'm bruised. But my pride. Sweet jesus, it is battered.
So much for our gorgeous day on the river on Saturday. By the time I was right-sided and secured, M. was exhausted and I couldn't stop shaking enough to figure out how I was going to managed my waterlogged self. So we docked at the next opportunity to assess the damage and go in search of a cell phone to call for a ride.
1 hat, 1 smart phone, 2 sets of binoculars - none of which were in my waterproof bag. Why, you ask? Because had we put in where I normally do when I go out alone, the binoculars would be around my neck, the phone would be within easy reach for pictures. But no.
On Saturday I was so brazen, so
cavalier, that M. suggested, and I willingly agreed, that trying out the narrows was a good idea. Never mind the water was running fast from rain the day before and 15 mph winds was urging it faster. Not only did it sound like a
good idea, it sounded like an
awesome idea.
Sigh. Hubris is a bitch.
I am continually shocked and surprised when I find I am not even a fraction of how athletic I envision myself in my mind. Dammit.
So, M's mom came and rescued us, I showered, called my doc to make sure mouthfuls of river water wasn't gonna kill me, and tried to live with my chagrin.
**
Sunday was another glorious day weather-wise. So after a morning on the balcony, I suggested we try an adventure on land this time. We headed towards a "birder's paradise" just an hour down the road for a few hours' hike. What better way to redeem the weekend and reconnect with that guy who saved my ass the day before?
At the trailhead was when we realized that just letting the binoculars dry out overnight did not guarantee they were going to function. At all. Ever.
So, through the woods we went. M. silently fuming ahead of me. Me getting more and more flustered as we heard birds all around us and just had to guess what we were missing. Of course, the previous day's incidents were playing over and over and over again in my little head (Could I have paddled out of my predicament had I been stronger? Did I
really think aiming for that 3 foot drop was a
good idea? What was I thinking...) M. was probably kicking himself for suggesting the diversion in the first place, for not checking the binoculars before we got in the car, oh the points of blame and self-blame are endless, aren't they?
But we made it out of the woods and somehow managed to salvage the drive home. We were actually in good moods for a few hours Sunday evening.
And that lasted up until I learned from a friend that the pregnant friend
I hoped would understand my absence from her life right now does not. And does anything hurt worse than hearing you have hurt another person? But, I'm sorry, there's nothing I can do about that right now. Despite outward appearances, I'm not in a place where I can watch a mirror image of where I would be if
my one and long-awaited chance to try again had worked. I cannot muster the strength to fake my way around the pain. And if someone wants to surround themselves with happy and good, I am not the support she wants right now, I promise. There is no room for someone voicing dead baby realities, doubts and fears. I feel my distance is best for her, and for me. At least right now. But the fact that I was questioned about my motives and actions did feel like an affront of sorts (I know you didn't mean it that way, m), at a time when I had little strength to defend myself.
I am wore the fuck out. And now it's Monday. And the week begins.
So then, what have I learned from this weekend? Let's recap:
- the narrows are no joke. If we want to attempt them again, we need to put in even farther upstream to give ourselves the time we need to find the right lines through the rapids and get ourselves there.
- waterproof bags are very handy - but only when valuables are inside them
- I have no upper body strength - daily push-ups are now in the regime. I could muster 5 this morning.
- I have no core strength - add sit ups and crunches to that.
- I should probably take a water-safety course as penance, or at least wear my lifejacket on longer floats.
- Dr*ids are not for kayaking
- I can hope for understanding as we continue to grieve, but I cannot count on it.
