What I learned from Whitewater Rafting

I knew our vacation would rock. A cabin, rafting, zip lines, and lake with tons of floating toys. I also knew Jasen and I could very well kill each other in the car (that's for another post). Juni was an angel in the car.
What I didn't know, was that our guide would make me really thing about life, what it means to be happy, and the obstacles people can overcome.
He had an accent, so of course I asked where he's from "South Africa, born and raised. And no, I'm not black."
Ummm...yeah, I got that your white. Thanks.
He got us down the river, picking on me and Juni the whole time, making jokes, talking about his wife and schooling, and smiling the whole time.
During a swim break, I asked him how often he returned home to see his family. He immigrated to the U.S. 9 years ago.
"My mother was murdered 15 years ago. My father killed himself 4 months later. And my brother killed himself 4 months ago. My last sibling lives in Australia, raising his family. I will never return home. There's no one to return to."
Okay. There are very few times when words evade me. This was one of them. "Ummm...I have no idea what to say. I'm sorry doesn't sound even remotely close to what you went through."
"No worries. I did start smoking again when my brother killed himself, though. I just focus on the present, look forward to the future, and remember the good things in my past. "
What amazed me about this man (he's 37) is his zest for life. Almost everyone in his family has died untimely, and yet he does what he loves. He guides rafts, holds two degrees from WVU, and is working on his nursing degree. He shows no fear.
One of my largest fears (and I have a lot of fears, believe me), is anyone in my family dying too soon. Especially my sister. I couldn't imagine the hurt, pain and sense of loss. And then to have half of your family kill themselves. I would be a shell. An empty, fragile shell. It would change me forever.
But Brian was anything but a shell. He was smiling, playing, and living his life. He inspired me to live my life not in fear of losing someone, but with the realization that living in fear is not living at all. He taught me that people can survive the most horrific events, and find happiness. All this, on the New River in West Virginia.
I stepped into the raft looking for a relaxing good time, and left with so much more. A refreshed outlook, and an incredible sense of admiration for a man living every single one of his dreams, despite the death and despair plaguing his past.

It's amazing what the human mind can overcome. And he is a testament to the strength we all have, somewhere within ourselves. He inspired me to find that strength within myself. And I could never thank him enough.