A Journey has many Paths

A Journey has many Paths

Obviously, it is not the next day but a couple of weeks since the last blog. Letting go of the Drava/Mura swim is difficult, as if keeping from writing the final blog keeps the swim from being done. The journey was inspiring, energizing and rewarding. Why would I want it to be over? Last week my father made a single sentence statement about the turmoil in today’s world and I offered a rebuttal. Usually he considers me negative because I often complain about my disappointment with those in power lacking social/environmental responsibility. Overall, I am an optimist. The world is a continual balance of good and evil, greed and generosity, love and hate. Yes, I believe it is badly out of balance, but the Drava/Mura/Danube swim was concrete proof that the majority of people are good, generous and loving. It was concrete proof that whatever hell Earth and its inhabitants are going through, cannot and will not last. We will prevail…good will prevail. I know this to be true. It was in the eyes and acts of everyone we met along the river.

David Reeder was an incredibly blessed man. He gave himself to the people and the environment. Was he born with a heart of gold or did it evolve from his selfless hard work? What a legacy he left behind and what a model he was and is for all of us. He brought hundreds of people together in life and even more in his death. At the Danube Days festival in Backi Monostor, people were everywhere honoring each other’s work and celebrating David’s life. It was awesome! I wanted the night to last forever…
However, it did not, and here I am sitting in my room at home wishing I was there fighting as David did for all that is good and right and beautiful. Sitting here, but wishing I was walking along Sonja’s trail with all of you, discussing future plans while staring in awe at our uniquely pure surroundings. Helena, Kelsey and I threw flowers into the Drava/Mura at the sight where, less than a year ago, David’s ashes were thrown. Then I swam the path of his ashes to the Danube River. It was a magnificent journey, down the most beautiful river. I thank each of you for sharing in vision of the swim and supporting the mission. It was an honor to be a part of it. I can only imagine how David felt.

The swim is over but the journey has only just started. Where will it lead?