July 13th, 2003 If life were easy it wouldn't be any fun!? Let see, did we leave off when my daughter had her wreck or when my mother-in-law had to have heart surgery, or when we paid $460 to fix a laptop that is not working? Tess is fine, but her car is very sick; Foxy, my mother-in-law, is recovering beautifully, but my laptop is more like a floptop. Thank goodness Birdsong Marina is kindly accomodating and came to my rescue...again. Tori has set me up with a spot to journal until my husband can figure out what to do. He is a great guy! I arrived at the Birdsong Marina and Resort yesterday. Bob Keast had a big sign up for my arrival. He is an energetic man that is passionate about his second generation business. I don't think second generation bussinesses are as common in the United States as days past. It was refreshing to see he seems to be as excited about the resort as if he had bought it last week. He is full of interesting stories about the area and his childhood here. Plus, the cove here is the only freshwater pearl farm in the United States, Tennessee River pearls...WOW. With all the turmoil leading up to the swim, it is comforting to be staying in such a supportive, interesting, and beautiful place. I can see Kentucky Lake from my front window...Yes, Kentucky Lake is in Tennessee. Last night the Camden, Tennessee Business and Professional Women's group had an open house at Kris' Kafe. Lots of great people with lots of good stories about the area. I love that. Stories are the best when it comes to sharing and learning. (It was Jesus's favorite tool.) The BPW group of women have followed my swim since its onset waiting for me to pass through here. They did a wonderful job of making me feel welcome and all had encouraging words of support. I ate an array of healthy stuff and sugar goodies- life is a balance. Thanks, Gail. Ok, Ok, Ok...I feel great & terrible, relieved & stressed, comforted and uncomfortable about tomorrow morning's plunge. It changes minute to minute and no, it is not hormonal. When I feel my lowest, I just look towards the river and bounce the other way, figuratively speaking. If I looked the other way, I would see bags of stuff needed for the swim and freak out all over again. The question that people ask and that flits in and out of my head is the same one from last year and the year before and the year before and the year before. "Am I making a difference." In my world, the difference is incredible. Does anyone else feel that way? My closest support group is not as tightly woven this year and that is discomforting, but it can be a good thing that forces me to reach out to others more. More supportive emails? Yes, people who email me to say, "HEY" help tremendously. As a people, we tend to hold back stating our opinions, offering words of support, or words of thanks for various reasons. I know there are things I want to say to people but I don't because I assume they all ready know it. Well, usually they don't. Sometimes I don't say things to people because I think they don't care what I have to say. Ninety-nine point nine percent of the time people DO want to hear what you have to say, if your words are kind and true. (Movie stars are probably the only group that get too much of it.) How different would the world be if we spent more time offering positive words without second guessing whether people wanted to hear them? If seems sometimes the only time I offer words is when I am discontented with something or someone. What I have recently learned is, when I share my kind thoughts with people, about people, I ultimately feel better. It teaches me to focus on the positvie things people do instead of the negative. Starting this year's swim, I pledge to focus more on the positive things people are doing around me and to SAY SOMETHING about what it is they are doing that I appreciate. That also means to look at the GOOD people are doing for the river. Since coming to Camden, I have met a lot of people doing good things for the Tennessee. THANKS! Thanks Alicia for being so excited about my swim. Remember, fourth grade is the perfect time to get an environmental group going at your school. I look forward to swimming past you and will watch the shoreline for your hand of support. Love and support to all, mimi