By Mary Palnau
I feel myself riding the waves.
Why do I have this fear that a big one will knock me over one of these days?
I know I shouldn’t fear them because I know I will get back up.
The waves have gotten bigger and more challenging as the years go by.
Maybe it’s because I don’t feel as strong physically.
Maybe it’s because I’ve seen too many others swept away.
I look for the serenity of gentle waves.
Mary Palnau is a long-time volunteer for NAMI of Washtenaw County. She also volunteers with the Cancer Support Community of Ann Arbor, Al-Anon, and First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ann Arbor. She retired in 2017 after working for 43 years in administrative positions at the University of Michigan.