Day 13

8/28/2014

                Today was our longest day of paddling yet. Today we drifted past trees clinging to a rock face. As we passed them I wondered how they took root and survived in an environment that could break loose at any point. The trees did not appear to be the strongest. They most likely were lacking several nutrients. They could grow strong if they took root in the soft level ground above them, but no.

                Those trees took root in a tough environment where the ground may break loose, the wind may blow them over, the water could wash them away, or maybe they will live longer than any tree before or after.

                We are the trees clinging to the rock face. We could take the easy way. We could stay on level ground where we know the soil to be full of good things. We would be safe from the wind, safe from the water, and safe from the Earth crumbling below us.

             But No we choose to live on the edge. Where life may be tough but unlike the others we get to feel the wind blow until we almost fall. We get to see the water rush just past our feet. Though the Earth below us may crumble and shake, we stand our ground. We may not live the longest but we live the fullest life – one worth living – for we are the trees standing our ground on the rock face.

John