Ngo 38.2

I am a salmon

Making my way upstream, doing my best to avoid random grizzlies

With one key difference.

A salmon heading to spawn is all purpose and faith. These resolute fish are steadfast, spurred on by instinct, assured by ancestral wiring that they will reach their goal.

Procreation is a powerful motivator.

As for me, I’m a minnow. I have purpose – get the bike running – but lack confidence on my way up the river.

can I really trust this map

I have no idea where I’m going

I’ve left the friendly cartographers, their hand-scrawled map in hand, and have made the questionable decision to push and walk alongside the bike against the flow of traffic.

If I’m turning left up ahead this is definitely the right decision

right?

The swarming, endless headlights continue their assault, nearly blinding me as I stride awkwardly beside the bike, trying to avoid collision. I trust in the map, channel my inner sockeye, and continue onward.

That’s when, from nowhere, the small yet sturdy woman emerges. Grey coveralls and soft-brimmed hat, bandana trailing out her back pocket. Urging her double-wide garbage cart along the same side of the street as me. She is unbowed, indifferent even, to the oncoming flow. She powers forth, her sense of purpose leading her on.

She has work to do. And she is confident.

I keep pace, grateful for her shield, comforted in the notion that this tiny robust woman knows the way.

I pick up my pace to match hers. Our steady shared rhythm bolsters my mood.

Now I have someone to swim with.