We carry each other in Collaborative Practice

About a year ago, I played a, believe me, very small part in making it possible for someone from another country to attend the IACP forum in New Orleans. I hadn't thought of it, or him, since then.
Today I received an email. He just wanted to thank me; the 'embarrassing' truth is he was effusive in the blessings he wished for me from my self-perceived 'small' part.
He's been home for a while and he made a comment about doing his "level best" to disseminate info about Collaborative Practice among his colleagues....and as I read that, much of my 10 years in the CP movement rushed through my mind. I've experienced resistance, mockery, disruption, offensive lies, even sabotage along the way....yes, even at the hands of some 'collaborative colleagues'....and yet I keep doing what I do. Because like this young man, knowing about CP has changed me in a way that can not be undone. I can't go back, I can only go on. And sometimes that seems to mean that "I", each of us, will feel like we are carrying others...kicking and screaming and scratching like a frightened drowning person resisting being brought to where s/he wants to be.
And then the old Hollies song came to mind. And I remembered how much I too have been carried...by Stu Webb, by Steve Keeva, John McShane, Pauline Tesler....so many others... And how I have at times been, in my mind, a 'burden'.
But I know, too, that each of YOU is out there ready to carry me when needed. And it feels good.
A 'private' vision...several years ago, IACP was able to announce the "1000th monkey"....1000 members of the organization. My joy would overflow if we could do that again this year.... by having 1000 attendees at the Forum! Are you going? Maybe you will encourage, or help in some small way, someone else to attend.
I hope I can hug each of you in the warmth of Minneapolis in Autumn. Meantime, blessings on you all and a reminder....that:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PUdbiYhZ5I

The road is long
With many a winding turn
That leads us to who knows where
Who knows where
But I'm strong
Strong enough to carry him
He ain't heavy, he's my brother

So on we go

His welfare is of my concern
No burden is he to bear
We'll get there

For I know
He would not encumber me
He ain't heavy, he's my brother

If I'm laden at all
I'm laden with sadness
That everyone's heart
Isn't filled with the gladness
Of love for one another

It's a long, long road
From which there is no return
While we're on the way to there
Why not share

And the load
Doesn't weigh me down at all
He ain't heavy he's my brother

He's my brother
He ain't heavy, he's my brother