the dinghy

conversation with a grown child

Sit down. If you keeping jumping around you are going to to capsize my damn boat. I was rowing merrily along here. I asked you nicely not to bring all your baggage along, gee whiz, this is a little boat. and I am the only one rowing. What do you mean you cannot survive without your stuff? Sure you can.For a change I am the captain of this wondrous dinghy in this giant sea of hope.I'm not out here for a leisurely row in the ocean, man, I got a mission. I have to keep paddling until I find the shoreline. No, not the one I just left. I used up all the good from there. Can you see that little speck there? Well, whether you see it or not that's where I'm going. Why? Because I know that's the next stop on this journey. Now, now.... I know that I have a responsibilty to you. Not to take you where you need to go, but to teach you how to get there. I taught you to fish, and swim and draw water from the clouds. I cannot teach you how to float. That is your own lesson to learn. I learned, the hard way, I had to tread water until I fell into exhaustion, and only then when I quit fighting did I learn how to float. Damnit, Sit down. Be still. I love you, with the deepest parts of my spirit. I let you on this wee craft hoping that you would understand the depth of my commitment to this journey. I don't mean to be ugly, but we're taking on water...Toss the baggage. I cannot help you, I have to keep rowing.No, you say, you truly cannot survive without your baggage? well put your life jacket on. Yes I am helping you. Wrap your fingers around the handles of those bags and jump in. You will not drown. You will be miserable, for a while. You can stay there holding that garbage, or you can let go and swim. The choice is yours. No I am not trying to kill you. I am helping you save yourself. I can make the choice and you will be angry and continue to blame me for all your woes. Or I can let go and let you make the choice that will help you survive. or not. What if you drown? Then I will respect that that was your choice. I will love you and accept your choices, no matter what happens. If you get to the next shore, look for me, we can talk. Bon Voyage.