28 Comments
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Karen's avatar

Wonderful Life Reminder and I thank you from my deepest heart. Children teach adults so much and that’s one reason it’s so important for young voters to get involved in standing up to cowards and bullies. You taught your daughter a marvelous life lesson that I wish every parent would do. I am a Senior citizen—when I was a kid, my Dad took me on the adventures of camping, taught me to water ski in the Hudson River with Barges all around, took me on an ice skating trip to learn how to ice skate and many more. That’s how I got the inherited grit and guts to face the impossible probably with no fear. Your little girl just learned that. What a wonderful gift!

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Walter Rhein's avatar

Thank you Karen, you are very kind. I know the Hudson river :) You made me realize this article was more philosophical than I imagined!

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Audrey Peterman's avatar

I love love love this more than I can say! Thank you! And please say Thank you to our river captain. Many of the things you highlight are a damning commentary on our conduct today, trapped by our own fears and by God! Nobody will have any fun since we aren’t having any! Self-imprisoned! @Anthony Christian @Heidi Cuda @Karen Vladeck

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Walter Rhein's avatar

Thank you Audrey, that's so nice of you!

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Greg Sanford's avatar

This was obviously not your older daughter. Loved your story. love your kids. reminds me of 30 yrs ago

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Walter Rhein's avatar

:) I almost got the older one to go, but it never quite happened. Now they're both too old, so I guess I'll have to be a pirate without a captain.

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Teri Gelini's avatar

Love this and the way you talk to your daughter like a real person . You never talk down to her and you lift her up. That must have been an exceptionally great adventure for both of you. I am positive she will always remember this adventure. Thank you for sharing this great piece!

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Walter Rhein's avatar

Thanks Teri. Yes, I've never once talked down to them. I hated that when I was growing up. I tell it to them straight. They remember everything. Why waste a moment? Thank you!

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Teri Gelini's avatar

You are good man . Your family is lucky to have you.

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Walter Rhein's avatar

Thank you Teri!

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Nalini Dovedy's avatar

Great story. You write such lovely articles specially when it’s with your kids. Thank you

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Walter Rhein's avatar

Thanks, that's very nice. I have to do it more often.

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David Perlmutter's avatar

See? You CAN write stuff that has nothing to do with politics.

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Walter Rhein's avatar

I can. I wish I could do more of it.

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Laci Loew's avatar

Listening to your river captain story, Walter, is as refreshing to me as the river water likely was to your daughter that day. As you described her squealing with excitement and joy over her daddy-daughter experience, I, too, am brimming with smiles about your broader message: don’t necessarily subscribe to others’ expectations about how the rest of us should speak or should behave in any given situation.

As adults, I believe we often find ourselves managing others’ expectations of us all day everyday. And should we waste our time doing that? Should we speak or act in a certain way just because others believe it is the right way or what we should do? In my opinion, the answer is no. In other words, (if it doesn’t compromise yours or others’ safety and it doesn’t infringe on others’ rights), then be bold, be brave, and do it your way!

By walking away from others’ (often unfounded) expectations of how you should think, feel and act, you can experience great ease and far less annoyance. Your view of the situation and the people involved can be as diverse as people are unique.

Not adhering to others’ ungrounded expectations of us is good for us. When we are given (or rather seize!) the opportunity to be who we are, to act as we desire, to interact with and cherish people with diverse thinking and perspectives from our own, we thrive. So go for it! Grab that tube and sail down the river yelling “have a great afternoon” to all the judgmental others standing on the riverbank with the scorn on their face because your actions didn’t match their expectations.

Remember the golden rule? Treat other people the way you would like to be treated? Well, forget it. In my opinion, it does not apply anymore. In fact, I am not sure it ever did. Try instead my rule: treat others as they would like to be treated.

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Walter Rhein's avatar

That's very nice of you. I didn't realize this story was so deep, I was just trying to capture the emotion of the day, but I think your comment helps me understand why I found it so emotional. Thank you!

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Diane Moe's avatar

Thank you for another delightful morning read. Reminded me of building rafts to float down the creek through the golf course with golfers yelling at us.

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Julie Barnes Weaver's avatar

😉 no wonder you and I get along so well, diane!

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Sandra Waide's avatar

You're right: If you're not supposed to be doing something, you can rest assured that somebody will come along and tell you. However, I will still do whatever I'm doing as long as I figure I can live through it and they can bug-off, back to their busy body life, and leave me be. I'm so glad you're teaching your daughter how to think like a river pirate captain.

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Michelle Lindblom's avatar

What an absolutely wonderful adventure and life experience for your daughter (all of us really).

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Walter Rhein's avatar

Thank you Michelle! Having read it, you get to have it as a memory too :)

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Henry Bachofer's avatar

Great story that is true, Walter. Thanks.

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Walter Rhein's avatar

Thanks so much Henry, I'm glad you appreciated this one!

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Robert Danna's avatar

Wonderful, Walter.

Here is my favorite poem:

“Come to the edge," he said.

"We can't, we're afraid!" they responded.

"Come to the edge," he said.

"We can't, We will fall!" they responded.

"Come to the edge," he said.

And so they came.

And he pushed them.

And they flew.

Guillaume Apollinaire

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Walter Rhein's avatar

That's beautiful!

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SLMontgo's avatar

You reminded me of some more of George Carlin's wisdom: Don't take a path. Make your own path.

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Julie Barnes Weaver's avatar

Boy I enjoyed that tubing down the river. I could feel the whole adventure. When I was a kid my childhood girlfriend Katie and I would clamber our way along the paths cut into the banks of the Mississippi river. No I'm not talking about some sort of concrete path with a railing to ensure your safety. I mean we walked along the river bank with the river just a few feet below us and if there were an occasional Ravine cut into the bank, well we had to LEAP across and hope we could catch the edge of the other side. Although I didn't show my grandchildren how to be daring, they learned it on their own or from their dads, my two sons, so like you, I must have done something exciting and fun along the way with them.

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Walter Rhein's avatar

Haha! Those sound like great adventures!

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