Against All Odds

Today we came across a lone Cyprus tree.  It was the first I had seen along our journey.  It was not the most magnificent Cyprus that I have ever seen, nor was it the runt of the litter but it stood out among all the other trees.  What made this tree stand out on its own was the fact that it was right in the middle of the river.  As I approached the tree I stopped paddling so I could take out my camera and snap a few pictures.  As I drifted by the tree I turned my boat around so I could capture it from the opposing direction and the beauty of the whole bend of the river opened up to me.  It was one of the most beautiful places we had seen over the past three days.  As much as I wanted to stay and soak in the energy that this place was projecting, I knew we had many more miles to cover and time would not allow me the pleasure of an extended stay.

As I continued along my way I could not get the thought of that lone tree out of my mind.  I started to notice other Cyprus along the banks.  There were some beautiful specimens of the species with branches of green arching over the water giving relief from the sun to a weary paddler.  None drew my attention more though than the lone tree standing in the middle of the river.  As I continued on I noticed other Cyprus trees that were dying.  Their branches no longer green and their trunks dry and decaying they stood silent along the banks of the river.  They gave no shade, they no longer expelled life giving oxygen.  The roots of the once mighty trees were the only thing keeping them from being claimed by the flowing waters of the river.  They too would one day lose their strength and nothing would remain.

 My thoughts once again went back to that lone tree steadfast in the middle of the river.  I began wonder why it was still there.  How could a tree begin to grow from seed or seedling in the middle of a flowing river?  It had probably seen floods, droughts, fires and storms in the 100 or more years its roots had been firmly planted in this earth.  Yet how did it survive against all the odds with all that flow of the river going against it?

I then began to think how those trees are so similar to people who are diagnosed with cancer.  There are many that battle and struggle to stay alive but never make it.  There are those who have everything going for them and so much around them to help them in their battle, yet they too succumb to their diseases.  But then there are those few, the lucky ones, who against all odds through hell and high water survive.  They survive because they have a strong will to live.  They survive because God shows his mercy upon them and grants them another day.  They survive against all odds to stand as a living testament to the power of faith and hope. 

As we travel on this journey with new friends we have spent time both on and off the water talking about different things in our lives.  We have shared stories and memories of friends, family and loved ones.  We have begun to bond as a team.  Each and every one of us no matter what our initial desires or motivations for making this journey, have now become one in our mission and have dedicated ourselves to making this journey to remember all those who are battling or have battled cancer.

One of the things we do each night is have a candle light ceremony where we light a few candles in remembrance of those who have battled cancer and are no longer with us, and those who have battled and are still battling today.  Monday night was very emotional for us.  After we read the names, we each went around and spoke about those who we are padding to remember.  Everyone had a story.  Everyone told of someone they loved who were no longer with us.  Some spoke very freely.  Some were hesitant.  Some struggled to get out the words.  We all cried.  But most of all we remembered.