Gifts of Preparation
This weekend, my husband and daughter were supposed to participate in a swim-run. This is an event where two person teams run across islands and swim between the islands. For two summers, it was the highlight of their summer, and, in spite of covid, it was scheduled to run this year, as, unlike other similar events, it is quite easy to be distant from others as it is long and the spaces in which they move are wide. (You might have fun checking out the event website) Helena booked a flight from California so that she could work from home for 2 weeks to be out of quarantine in time to participate. Unfortunately, it was cancelled a month before the event.
At this point, they decided that they would do a swim-run up near our Maine cottage anyway. Throughout the month of August, Helena swam with her group in the San Francisco bay, and Hugh ran and swam around the areas near our house. Once Helena was here in quarantine, they worked together to run and swim and come up with a route with a good distance and a nice combination of swimming and running. It was fun for me to observe their joy as they plotted this out with great anticipation.
This Saturday, the day was a bit colder than anticipated, but the sun was shining, and they hopped into the water to start their event. I had decided where I would station myself to watch, and as they set off, so did I. Unfortunately, there was a giant storm surge. Not waves, but just a powerful high tide. When I went to my first spectating spot, I was amazed at the current and watched as they swam and swam and didn’t make much headway. They came out of the water after their usual 25 minute leg took them an hour and 10 minutes, visibly shivering. The water, usually warm in September, was in the 55 degree range. Hugh was literally purple. So, they decided to alter the course and just jog the mile home. Still an epic athletic feat, but not the fun day they had anticipated.
This got me thinking of the joys of preparation. It didn’t matter that they didn’t get to complete the day as planned, as the whole thing wasn’t really about that anyway. The whole summer was lightened just in the thoughts of doing the event. And, in spite of the cold water, at the end of the day, after a few shifts, we all decided that the whole day had been a highlight of the summer.
In these days of such uncertainty, I am going to try to emulate these brilliant family members of mine. Making plans, enjoying the anticipating, and gamely shifting if the situation requires it.
Joyfully looking forward to what is to come!
Copyright 2020 Nancy C Murray
If you would like to participate in my daily healing meditations at 12:15 to 12:45 every day, please email me and I will send you the link.
Nancy C Murray is a yoga teacher, yoga therapist, Reiki master and spiritual leader. She leads public and private yoga classes and healing sessions, transformational courses, and also retreats and spiritual journeys.
We plan on walking the Camino again in 2021! Click here for more information.
