Lead Well

 

I have one more reflection to share about paddling the Nantahala Falls as I got to run them for the third time yesterday. Anna had tried it two times the day before, but Taylor had not tried it yet. They both wanted to do it, so I paddled down with my dad in his canoe, and then I walked back up to the top of the rapid, and I got in a kayak to lead Anna and Taylor down the river. I felt the weight of responsibility and wanted to make sure to lead them well and show them the best way to get down the rapid.  As we got in our boats, I was leading with Taylor behind me and with Anna in the back.  There is a small eddy right before the big falls that we planned to paddle into, and I pulled in first. Taylor tried to get in but was a bit too late so he just went on down the rapid. He made it through the big two waves at the beginning but flipped out of his boat at the last part. I paddled as fast as I could through and went to grab him only to look back and see that Anna came through and also had flipped over. I paddled hard to help them to shore with their paddles and boats and was relieved to have some extra support from some folks on shore. 

This weight I was feeling to be a good leader for Anna and Taylor is something I was thinking about with you as you really are a natural born leader, Micah. You can rally people and teach them how to dance, how to sing, how to play video games, how to act, and so much more. So, as you get more and more opportunities to lead, may you lead well. 

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