River guide reflects generosity of strangers
William, 11, came to me at lunch on our first day Snake River Rafting Trip. Without saying a word, he thrust a shell into my hand. “Oh?” I asked. The beach is full of shells, I don't know what's so special about this one. He whispered sinisterly, “Don't tell the other guides. I will find a shell for each of you as a thank you for this experience. This one is yours.”
I melted. This is not what I expected. “Thank you very much.” I said sincerely. I smiled and stuffed it into my pocket. We traveled less than two miles on the water. It had been less than an hour of drifting on the Snake. Does this eleven-year-old want to say thank you already? I was moved by the way he expressed his gratitude: finding beauty.
During this year’s river season, I encountered many forms of gift giving. From osprey feathers to surprisingly patterned rocks to gnarled driftwood, sharing the beauty of discovery is a top contender. But I have also been given other tangible gifts. Every gift carries warm memories of kind people.
superior lower salmon riverEight-year-old Annabelle made me a bracelet/headband combo. She braided neon threads in secret. The bracelet is cute too and Functional. Annabelle and her cousins are silly. They don't need much entertainment, and every Class II rapid is a death-defying feeling for them. I remember their playfulness and awe every time I tied my hair up.
On the main course of salmon, Amanda gave me a pair chaco sandals. I'm over the moon and wearing them every day of the season. I remember my conversations with her because I admired her adventurous spirit and her thoughtful relationship with her brother. I was so moved by her generosity that I couldn’t thank her enough. She told me nonchalantly that these items had been hidden in her closet for years. “She's more of a crocodile girl,” her brother revealed. Originally from North Dakota, she wears Crocs for all occasions (including using a chainsaw in the backyard). She even outfitted her Crocs with a pair of battery-operated headlamps! She was dynamic and her path was described by some as unconventional. To me it's inspiring. I wish I told her that.
exist grand canyonwhen Melody learned that it was my birthday, she rummaged through the dry bag for something to give me. She gave me one of her favorite protein bars; she found a birthday cake that tasted just right. I had just met her and I was overwhelmed by her kindness.
These thoughtful gifts remind me of the people I meet and the connections I make. I like to tie my hair up and think about Annabelle's happiness. I love putting on my Chacos and remembering what it would be like to design the life you want. I love finding William's seashell, which is still in the pocket of my favorite pants, and remembering what a positive impact it can have to express gratitude to those around us. Small gestures made a huge impact on me.
When a river trip sheds all pretense, what remains is overwhelming human generosity. And the ripple effects are huge.
There are also intangible gifts. I cherish these equally. When the entire group sang “Happy Birthday” to me on the second day of our trip, there was no way they knew I was scared. This was my first commercial trip to the Grand Canyon and I didn’t know anyone. This song calmed my nerves and made me feel less alone.
superior middle fork salmonNancy, a repeat rafter, gave me an observation. Two years ago, I spent time with her and her family on the Snake River. I was making a big, extra-galactic career decision. When Nancy saw me again, she told me in the way only a grandmother could: “You look lighter. Happier.” I blinked back tears. “I'm serious,” she said. I felt confident that I had made the right decision in the midst of the chaos, and I felt incredibly grateful to have it so clearly seen by a near-stranger.
on my final Prime salmon rafting trip This season on the show, retired art teacher Diane talks to me about her career. Two days before meeting her, I accepted an art teaching job, and the pressure to switch from English to art began to weigh on me. She asked me to stop by her house during my trip to her town next month. She would show me some work samples. She gave me an email address and also gave me peace of mind and peace of mind.
None of these gifts are expensive, in fact, most are free or found. That's part of what makes them so special. A stranger really wanted to say something, so they made do with the contents of a dry bag. Gestures are important. I still think about these people months later, not because they spent money on me, but because they helped out in a small but important way. When a river trip sheds all pretense, what remains is overwhelming human generosity. And the ripple effects are huge.
William, Annabelle, Amanda, Nancy, and Diane taught me that making the world a better place is easy. I'm grateful for their kindness. But most of all, I’m grateful for this example: it makes me want to give gifts to others in any way I can. A listening ear, a handwritten note, a wool pillowcase. It makes me want to share the beauty of discovery. It makes me want to connect with others and be generous with my compliments. This made me feel more hopeful after leaving the river. This is what I cherish the most.
