      On a hot August day I stood with my husband and kids by the Kicking Horse River listening to the safety orientation by the guides as we prepared to take on the thrill of white water rafting. My mind reeled as I tried to retain all the instructions and come to terms with the risk to life and limb I was taking, but since I had gotten myself into that wetsuit there was no way I was backing out now.
           Once through the orientation, the guides began calling out names and assigning groups to particular rafts. There were about 40 people standing at the edge of the water with us and as I scanned the crowd I silently began hoping for certain people to be put in our raft. There was just one group I didn't want to be joined to. They were four young men, one in a pink tutu, out on an adventure bachelor weekend prior to one of them getting married (the one forced to wear the tutu over his wetsuit). They were white water veterans having rafted several different rivers including ones in Malaysia. They certainly made their presence known throughout our morning of orientation and safety drills. They had been ziplining the day before and now were pumped about taking on the white water. Please, please, let us be put in a raft with anybody, ANYBODY, but them. These testosterone driven outdoor adventurers (I was convinced) were sure to be looking for a far more dangerous ride down the Kicking Horse than I was.
           The bachelor party group was called and as they headed for their raft--of course--our name was called next to finish out the group of eight. Are you kidding me? They expect me to load my wetsuit-clad body into the same raft with these daredevils?
           Within minutes we were seated and heading out onto the river. Just moments later I realized we were in the best possible situation--a raft with four of the nicest, strongest young men who not only made the adventure a lot of fun but also tackled the paddling with a youth and vigor that allowed me to coast, just a little (don't tell my family). It takes a lot of hard work to control the raft in white water and I was very grateful for their presence. They asked our girls a lot of questions and kept checking to ensure they were doing okay and having a good time. One of the guys was wearing a helmet cam to take video of the trip. While all the rafts were taking a short break on shore the guys were laughing telling us they expected the camera to pick up some screaming by our girls when in actual fact it was one of them doing the majority of the shrieking!
           I got what I didn't want--and it ended up being a good thing. I totally recognize that this isn't always the case but it was a good lesson for me. The months prior to that summer adventure were a challenge. Situations were thrust upon me that I didn't anticipate--or want, and this forced me into decisions I didn't anticipate--or want. It was challenging yet transformative; stressful and freeing, all at the same time. I got what I didn't want but the result has been unexpected blessings and new opportunities. Easy? No. Fun? Absolutely not. But I learned things about myself I wouldn't have discovered otherwise and I was reminded that the most important things in life I already possess.
           And so I continue my journey. Each day I get back into the raft hoping for smooth sailing but knowing rough waters are inevitable. I have to accept the blast of cold mountain water at times but also make sure I appreciate the moments of sitting on shore enjoying the warmth of the sun. The journey takes me to places I may not have wanted to go, but places I needed to go. And a big lesson I have learned is that sometimes I need to paddle hard on my own but there are times I need to let others carry me, or at least row along beside me--and that includes people I wouldn't have necessarily expected on the ride. Perhaps some of the best gifts in life come when we get what we don't want. That's my outlook.
