30th Anniversary Trip

July 24, 2009
Ahhhhh…I am sitting at the edge of the McKenzie River in an Adirondack chair, watching an enormous amount of water rapidly flow by. It is a beautiful, sunny, quite warm day, but the cool breeze here close to the water as well as the shade from the tall trees are protecting me from the heat. Robert and I arrived here at McKenzie Bridge last night and are staying four nights in a cabin right here on the river. The word cabin can bring many images to mind. For instance, “cabin” last summer at Camp Fresno, meant rustic, built in the 1920’s, with sleeping bags thrown onto old mattresses on top of squeaky metal springs. It had a kitchen, but the kind you expect to find critters occupying – having full access through the many holes in the single board siding covering the walls. What made it “deluxe” was the fact that electricity had been added some years ago, so it had a refrigerator, stove and single light bulbs hanging in the center of each room…and more recently, a bathroom with toilet and shower had been added on to the sloping backside.
“Cabin” here at Inn at the Bridge is a completely different image! Built in 2006, it is akin to an upscale hotel – a two story house, with 2 bedrooms / 2 baths, full kitchen, satellite TV and air conditioning. It has a screened-in porch across the front, with a gorgeous view of the river a mere 40 yards away. The only thing missing is internet service! This is a perfect getaway for us this year – a greatly appreciated gift from our kids, family and friends for our 30th anniversary. Our favorite summer trip is to Riverside Campground on the Santiam River – pitching a tent just yards from the water…but that would not be possible this summer. Life has changed dramatically since pancreatitis 10 months ago. We still don’t know if Robert will continue to improve or if this is now his new normal. Oh, the pancreas has healed up well, but the side effects and resulting damage continues on. Last night, after we unpacked and scoped out the surroundings, Robert tried to get comfortable on the couch. Just the extra walking, riding in the car, lifting and carrying had made the pain in his hands, wrists and feet considerably worse. The scar from the healed bedsore still makes it difficult to sit comfortably as well. Then there was the issue of continually trying to get his eyes to focus as we watched the NFL channel.
The packing and set-up of a camping trip is definitely out of the question. So here we sit with all the sights and sounds we love when we go camping, but all the amenities needed for this stage in life.
Ahhhh…There is something restorative about listening to the sounds of a river. Perhaps it is the unending flow…the ever-present sound of the rapids…the view that leaves one wondering where all that water comes from. It just keeps coming, and coming, and coming. A lot like the love, forgiveness and mercy of our Father. The never-ending grace, that never runs out. That describes my experience this past 10 months. We’ve gone through many changes in lifestyle, but we have found His grace keeps flowing, going deeper than any change in circumstance, no matter how painful. What a blessing. Much like this unexpected, unplanned gift we are enjoying, here by the riverside.