River Story: Heart of the River
Water has always been a draw for me. For vacations, it brings excitement, adventure as evenings of blissful rest. For daily life it provides revived energy and a call to breathe in deeply. And for times of sorrow, the water invites me to add my own tears and rest in the comfort of them being carried away. I understand that I am neither the first nor the last to cry these same tears and they are only temporary.
Three years ago, in a state of grief and heartache, I found myself drawn again to the river. I had recently been through a long, ugly divorce. Anyone who has ever lost love finds themselves as I did, scared to love again. I felt as though I couldn't catch my breath. A new Love was knocking at my door and I was terrified. I walked up the bank of the river prayerfully pleading for God to tell me what I should do. When I had run out of tears and still hadn't received an answer I took a deep breath in, let the extra panic go then turned to walk back to my car.
On the way back I noticed many things I hadn't noticed before. An excited dog chasing a stick into the river to retrieve for his happy person, a woman contently reading a book in the grass just off the shoreline and a family in the park grilling hotdogs for lunch. I also noticed the river. The way the shimmers of sunlight reflected off of the gentle waves caused by the excited dog, the freshly green trees leisurely enjoying the day and the glint from small pieces of glass made smooth by the rub of sand and water.
As I got within sight of my parked vehicle I decided to ask one more time, “God, can I trust love again?” It was then that I saw my answer. A small white heart-shaped stone resting in the sand. There were no words necessary. I knew I could trust love. Love had been there all along. Just maybe not in the forms that I'd expected to see it.
I keep the heart of the river on my nightstand to remind me when I need it that love surrounds me. And, the more open I can be to love in all its forms the more love I will feel.
by Melissa J.D. Wells
The River Story Map
Created and coordinated by volunteer extraordinaire Michael Bischoff, the River Story Map kicks off FMR's silver anniversary year with 25+ stories of friendship with and connection to the metro Mississippi. These honest and personal reflections portray the river as a source of intrigue and adventure, a beloved date night venue, and even an unlikely partner in tales of loss and healing. We hope you enjoy them and consider adding your personal story of friendship with the Mississippi River.