I have to share my joy with people that will understand. When my daughter was about 10, we ruined boating for her by taking her down a class two at high water. We crashed, swam and had to hike out of a canyon. The image of my 'reason for living', crying out as we swam, "I LOVE YOU MOM", has tortured me to this day. I needed stitches and our puppy ran off, (we found her later). It was a bad day. We were stupid back then and it was one of our first runs. (Canoe.)
She's now 19 and has been watching us kayak for almost 10 years, too scared to try even a ducky. That all changed this last weekend. Mostly because she was hot and wanted to get in the water, but the reason she did it is not important. She asked to rent a ducky and we spent three solid days introducing her to class II and easy class III on the Gunny and lower Taylor. She had a kick-ass time, and possibly may have become addicted in a three day span. She kept asking for bigger water. I took a million pictures of her and she's smiling ear-to-ear in each one. It was one of our happiest times ever on a family vacation and it's probably our last one together, as she's anxious to leave the nest. I'm feeling very fortunate to have had this time with her before she moves on in life.
As a parent, you always struggle with making your kids do what you like to do. After the crash, I never once pressured her to get back in, though I sure wanted her to and asked her so much I bugged the crap out of her. Imagine my excitement when she asked me.
I'm choking with pride and joy right now, so thanks for listening.
Anyone know where I can pick up a used ducky?
Deb
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