Sometimes the way someone lives outweighs the tragedy of death

A Scottish woman, Bridget Riedl-Laing, on an adventure from Canada down through South America has drowned in Peru. She saved all three of her children before being swept away. She and her Austrian husband kept an online diary of their trip. (Some of the entries are in English, some in German. There are wonderful pictures. Oh, and the most recent dates should read '2003'.)

I have to admire the spirit of taking such a remarkable trip. So far they seemed to have had a pretty wonderful adventure, aside from her breaking her arm in the van door back in December. Most people would never actually follow such a dream. I'm sure there are some who would pooh-pooh taking small children on such a long trip, but I think it was a wonderful opportunity. Unfortunately, now it will be marred by a mother's death.

My heart goes out to the family.