Life As A Stream

If my life were a stream, it would echo the properties of the river I kayaked on Sunday. Largely, I follow the path of least resistance, erratic as it sometimes seems. My life's attitude largely reflects the circumstances or weather that surrounds me. Like a stream it's steady and rhythmical.

My life finds a way to keep flowing, even if a bit of pooling is necessary.

And as I kayaked this weekend, I learned my life is much like the river in another way I hadn't considered:

Over rocks, between downed trees, in fast waters, and whenever the water gets turbulent, whenever it gets creative to find a way to flow, the riverbed is amazingly clear for quite some distance. Below, the adversity has carried away all of lesser substance. The more significant things remain. That which is more significant becomes easier to see. Life becomes a sand bed, where there is clarity previously unknown. All the particles that fill up and dull down are gone. Only the important remains.

For that reason, I find it easier to see the importance of Alison. She brought substance to my life. She gave me significance. She brought richness.

And as I find a way to keep flowing, I'll reflect on her for quite some time. I'll reflect on our relationship, what it meant to me, the lessons I'll take away from it.