So - I'm home again.
Rafting season has ended for another year and there is much rejoicing. Don't get me wrong - the people who came out rafting had a fantastic time as usual. It was just that some of us had the worst summer - ever. I think that has been quite evident in many of my stressful posts about mental health.
I've been helping my brother with his rafting business now for 20 years. Ever since I moved from Ontario to Alberta to help him out.
It's a fun thing to do for a summer - being a rafting guide - taming the wild river - making people scream with terror and excitement and then see their happy tired faces at the end of the day and know you gave them the best time of their lives. You bet it's fun!
But then there's behind the scenes. There is always those people who do all the grunt work that make these days possible for everyone. And that's me and my brother. We work all hours of the day. Sometimes I've been known to put in 16 hours a day as I try to organize everything. And I do it for the love of my brother.
However - even though I'm considered 'The Manager' - I don't have any clout. Sure I can fix that stare of mine on a wayward guide and know they are quaking in their river boots - but I am not allowed to really lay it on in case they quit. Guides are a very rare commodity and my brother is always afraid of losing them no matter how horrendous they are.
And that is what happened this summer. We got stuck with one of those guides. And I got stuck with not being able to say anything and so my frustration and anxiety built up all summer to the point where I thought I was going to lose it.
But then! A guide who we have known for over 10 years showed up and saved the day! His incredible sense of humour and the memories that came wafting back in when he walked in the door - wow! He really lightened the hearts of both my brother's and my own. We didn't know how we were going to endure the last month until Sam walked in and made us laugh once more. Thank you Sammy! We will never forget!
So ends the worst summer of my life. With a laugh and a smile and the hope that we will see Sam next summer.
And now - a few days of recuperation for me.
20 comments:
Well, glad you are back. And the worst is over for you. Welcome home.
Sounds like a long job over. Definitely time for you to rest. Hope you're well, I guess the autumn has to be an improvement for you.
Love CJ xx
Welcome home!
I bet you sleep for a month! Welcome back hen! X
Than God for Sam. Glad the ordeal is over and your back.
Glad it all ended with a smile and a laugh. So now a new season begins and a whole new set of joys, especially the colourful trees! I love photographing them!
I am so glad your summer ended with a smile. Hope you are feeling better and welcome back. Jeanne
Glad you can have a well-deserved rest now. Welcome back.
Wow! Glad the day was saved for you.
I love rafting when I go on holiday, and look on with wonder as the guide tells me how he canyons/rafts twice or three a day, every day, until the seasons over...and then often moves to somewhere where the season is just beginning to do it all over again. It has got to take real dedication!
Glad to *see * you again!
Sounds like you will be able to use the bad experiences and turn them all around for the better as you seem to be good at doing that.
Good to see you back, dear lady.
It's a good thing it ended with a smile. Couldn't you get a promise out of Sam to be there next year, or are river guides like lone cowboys? Do they just show up wherever the wind blows them? I'm glad you're home safe and sound. Take all the time you need to recoup. We'll be waiting patiently for you.
Thank heavens for lovely people.
Welcome back.
I'm sure your brother appreciates all the hard work you put in for him. If you can't help family who can you help I say.
Rest up now, glad you're back. :)
Excellent news and I am hoping your brother let you tell off/fire the guide who was such a PITA!
Sounds like you can settle in to a nice long snowy winter with the man. Happy it's all over for you, and pleased that it ended with a smile. x
Good to have you back... xx
A friend of mine, who's a mathematician by trade, chose to work as a river rafting guide one summer. She entered the job with enthusiasm. She loves the outdoors, loves the water, and is quite athletic. By the end of the season, she was ready for it to be over. She found the responsibility for all of those lives daunting.
Welcome to the crisp clear days of fall, Aims.
It's good you're back, good health to you
Oh thank goodness you're back aims. It's really horrid when one person spoils everything, isn't it? Good for Sam, I do hope he's back next year too. Welcome back.
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