July 29, 2003 My Dad and Mom left this morning to return home, and my kids are writing the six types of syllables and study skills techniques on posterboard to hang up on my classroom walls. With the house quiet and the computer working, I can complete the entry for my final days on the river. As I said before, in addition to providing unbelievable support, TVA employees educated me about a lot of environmental issues. Linda Harris met with me on her own time to give me ideas for working with students and people in watershed stewardship. She is a fantastic resource for educators and a great mentor. I failed to mention year three of my swim when the Auxiliary Coastguard supplied the boat and captain for the swim. Terry of the Aux. Coastguard was kind and generous to each of us. He brought along another member of the auxiliary, one of which flew missions in three wars: W.W.II, Korean, and Viet Nam. How cool is that to get to converse with him? Terry proudly displayed a banner on the side of his boat each day: TENNESSEE RIVER SWIMMER. It was nice because boaters would cruise up to us and question the crew, helping to spread the word. Thanks Terry. At the end of my swim, a reporter asked if I ever regretted getting up and putting in my eight hours of swimming. No, not once. There is a quote on the first page of my book of quotes- I put one together every year prior to my swim- that reads, "Be careful how you spend your day. You are exchanging a day of your life for it." From the depths of my existence, I can say without doubt that there was never a second I did not feel that what I was doing was worth exchanging for a day of my life. I believe my crew would agree. The Tennessee River is rich in beauty and diversity of life, and supplies us with the water necessary for our survival. To lose or risk losing any of her blessings to greed, misuse and/or disrespect is shameful. Any time spent in support of the health of the Tennessee River is worth it. What next? A friend gave a generous donation to my swim. I am sending it with more to the TCWN and getting more info on upping my level of involvement. There continues to be much to learn and do. I want so desperately to have a cabin on the River or a houseboat, but I will not. After much thought, my time on the river will be for environmental support and perhaps an occasional swim. Time on the River is important. The farther we remove ourselves from the River, the more she becomes an abstraction. Nature should never be an abstraction. It should be a part of our day....which brings me to a prayer I recited a gazillion times while swimming: Grant me the ability to be alone To make it my custom to go outside everyday And be among the trees and the grasses To be among all growing things, There may I be alone And enter into prayer to talk with the one I belong to. AMEN I know God hears our prayers through the thickest of man's walls, but it is easier for me to hear him when I am in the midst of HIS creation. Thanks to so many people who offered words of encouragement and support: TVA, my crew, family, friends, Auxiliary Coastguard, citizens of Paducah, CVB and Propeller Club of Paducah, editors who thought my message important enough to put into their papers, Robert (the website King), the old man and the River, and the faceless names of people who sent encouraging emails of support. We are all individuals who are finding out we can make a difference, and we will! Write soon, mimi