30/12/2021
2021 was rough to say the least, much harder than 2020.
It felt similar to an experience our family had while on vacation a couple years ago. Julie and our son Tommy had a paddle board and were wading out into the ocean. They were having a lot of fun and I was laughing as I watched them from the shore. Part way out you would bump into a reef wall that you could climb over into the ocean beyond or stay in the calmer waters of the cove we were at.
However, this day the cove waters were not calm. The waves were increasing in ferocity.
Julie called for me to help and I swam over to them. Immediately, I realized the issue we were in. The waves were crashing against us and then dragging us outside the cove. You could keep yourself in one spot by standing on the reef wall but none of us had shoes so it was quickly cutting up our feet. Tommy was starting to panic and internally, I was too.
After a few failed attempts to swim against the current, I realized our last chance to not get swept out would be to swim about 20-30 feet with the current from the reef wall to the nearest shore and then walk back up to our spot on the jagged, slippery rocks.
We kicked off the wall and swam with all our might. Just when I didn’t think we would make it, I extended my feet down and could just barely touch the sand and rocks of the shore. It was enough to anchor us as the next wave crashed into us and then we slowly made our way back into the cove’s calmer/shallower waters.
What started out as fun, turned into worry, had moments of terror, and thankfully ended with relief.
2021 was a similar roller coaster and as we close out the year, the relief is setting in.
Do I wish 2021 had been easier? Maybe, but here’s the thing.
There is something to be said for enduring through hard times.
There are things you learn and a person you become that just otherwise wouldn’t be possible.
So as we look to 2022, If you’re not to relief yet, don’t give up. Keep enduring. In the deepness of the river of doubt, the bank of hope is just on the other side.
Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise.
Dream. Believe. Achieve.