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Guest blog — A Mother’s Point of View by Mary Spotz

Last week, I received an email from Katie asking me if I would be interested in writing a “guest blog”. I wondered what she would want me to write about. People are often curious to ask Katie questions like “Why are you doing this?”, “Are you afraid?” and “What will you eat?”. Katie is so readily prepared to answer these questions but there is one question that tends to stump her: “What do your parents think?”

I wish I could say that both her dad and I gave her a big hug and told her that, whatever she wanted to do in life, we were behind her 100% — even if that meant rowing an ocean. That is farthest from the truth. I remember getting an email from Katie two years ago while she was participating in a student exchange in Australia. She matter-of-factly stated that she knew what she wanted to do next in her life; she wanted to row an ocean. I quickly responded, “Oh, no you are not! That is crazy and way too dangerous!”

So, from that moment, the battle began. A battle between a mom who selfishly wanted to keep her daughter close and safe forever and a daughter who wanted to go after her dream. The more I tried to think of every reason for her not to do it, the more Katie found every reason to do it.

Eventually I began to realize a few things. First, that our children are gifts that are placed in our care for just a short time on this earth. It is our job to nurture and care for them when they are with us. But there then comes that time when they mature and grow into adults. They must make their own decisions and choices. I had my chance to make decisions in my life; now I must let Katie make hers. Some days are easier to live by this than others, but December 18th proved most difficult.

This was the day Katie would leave for her adventure by flying over to Dakar, Senegal. It was frightening enough saying goodbye to someone who would be at sea for 70 to 100 days, but it was even more terrifying knowing she would be ALONE. No one to help you if you needed a shoulder to cry on and no one who could lend a hand with rowing.

We did give Katie a proper “send off” at the airport. After goodbye wishes and hugs were given, Katie turned to us with tears in her eyes and said, “I am going to give this everything I have”. With that she proceeded in line and we all watched her as she disappeared from our sight, or so we thought. Katie then ran back and looked at us one last time and gave us a smile and wave.

I think she finally realized we were behind her all the way and she would not be alone on this journey.