Rushing river leads to calm water. As a parent of a neurodiverse child, I wholeheartedly believe this.
We celebrated Canada Day, and the start of the second half of the year, by tubing down Elora Gorge.
It's family tradition to kick off summer break with a weekend adventure. This year, we picked Elora, a charming town 90 minutes from Toronto.
Tickets for tubing can be purchased from the Grand River Conservation Area three days in advance.
We showed T videos of other people tubing down the gorge, so he knew what to expect.
We explained that unlike a lazy river, this was a real river and the dangers are real. So he had to wear a helmet and lifejacket and stay seated and connected to one parent at all times.
We woke up early and arrived when the gates opened at 10 am to avoid the crowds - the crowd quadrupled on our way out three hours later.
It was a 15-minute walk from the registration area to the launch site and T was a trooper holding his tube… until he wasn't. 
Once we arrived at the launch point, everyone's excitement was palatable.
I made sure the hubby and T got in ok first then realized the river doesn't wait. Oops. Bye hubby and T!
But we were quickly reunited.
We had a blast - the entire journey took about an hour and a half. 
Tubing down the gorge was a good reminder that when the current gets rough, resist the instinct to fight against it and to go with the flow.
Rushing river always leads to calm water.
In the stillness, look up…
… and around…
… and enjoy the view.
When the waves pick up again, hang onto each other and ride them out once more.
We are all headed towards the same finish line.
When we get to the inevitable end, take a moment to look back at the journey you experienced.
You'll notice that what you feel the most are awe, amazement and gratitude.
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