After
years of navigating rough water, like running rapids on the river trip we braved
in the early years of marriage, our life calmed down. We got out on firm land and set up camp in central
Ogden for what we thought would be a six-month respite to catch our breath.
My
wife Kay and I were already empty-nesters, distantly admiring our married sons
and independent daughters – all outstanding, responsible adults. Having moved most of our furniture and “stuff”
into storage units nearby, we easily settled into a heavenly, older community
as our temporary home while we looked for a permanent place to land. I had a feeling this rest stop would be just
what we needed in order to reconnoiter, and calm our nerves for a while. It was truly a place of refuge.
So I was surprised when we soon “broke camp” and launched into four years of smooth sailing, simply going with the flow in calm waters; (no sail, of course – just paddles.) Feeling needed in the service of the Lord and free of many earthly concerns, we metaphorically ventured out from camp and eased on down a peaceful river of no return. Our life was never the same after that. The scenery along the way was gorgeous, and sweet friendships endure to this day. We thank our Father in Heaven for "rivers of living water."
So I was surprised when we soon “broke camp” and launched into four years of smooth sailing, simply going with the flow in calm waters; (no sail, of course – just paddles.) Feeling needed in the service of the Lord and free of many earthly concerns, we metaphorically ventured out from camp and eased on down a peaceful river of no return. Our life was never the same after that. The scenery along the way was gorgeous, and sweet friendships endure to this day. We thank our Father in Heaven for "rivers of living water."
Photos courtesy of my brother Russ Cannon and his Flickr cache
