Feeling incredibly supported by the first days back in water after a month hiatus due to a minor surgery. Nature and water are two of my most primary sources of nourishment. I tried the middle Fork of the Yuba two days ago but it was so cold I could only be in for a moment. The freezing rocks gave no comfort. But yesterday there was sun and warmth and such sweetness.
I was sitting enjoying watching two men with their very young daughters. I experienced them as incredibly patient and present with their children. I had seen yellow tape down in front of the beach so when two Rangers showed up, it took me a moment to choose to focus only on love. I ended up having a calm and kind conversation with one of the Rangers as he explained to me why I needed to leave. It seemed kind of hokey but unlike my previous tendencies, I felt no resentment, I simply accepted it and was grateful we didn’t get a fine. All of us decided to try to cross the river not knowing how deep it was.
One of the men named Jeff seemed very concerned for me. He kept pointing out rocks that he thought I might slip on. He asked me to hold his hand. Since he had his daughter on his shoulders and was holding a raft I told him no. But he kept pointing out each and every rock he thought I might slip on so I agreed to take his hand. I was deeply touched by his concern.
I also loved hearing the other daughter called out Abba to her father. Turned out he had Israeli parents. None of us had ever climbed out from that side of the river and Jeff scoped it out and told me he thought I could do it. So I was surprised to hear a name called out (close to but not my name so took a moment to real eyes he meant me even though no one else was there) about five minutes after all of them had left climbing up the steep hill with their daughters on their shoulders and carrying so much Paraphernalia.
It was Jeff and he decided that he thought it was too steep for me and urged me to go back around the other way recrossing the river. How incredibly kind that he would walk back out of care for me. I continue to be amazed and delighted at the kindness of strangers.
Plunging into the Yuba repeatedly yesterday was incredibly invigorating and renewing. It might be the last time this year due to major shifts in the weather. After days weeks and months of almost constant transmutation, welcome relief.
