fearless.

Fearless.

It’s something I’ve always wanted to be, but never quite was.  You, on the other hand, have ridden coasters at Great America, jumped from the high dive, climbed 3 story rock walls and shot down dark waterslides, all before the age of 7.  So here you are now, in front of the ‘Zero Gravity’ ride at the carnival, which I assumed you were too small to ride.  You are wrestling with your fear, you do, then you don’t, then you do, then you don’t…but ultimately, you decide that you are going to ride, all alone. 

I watch you spinning, only able to catch glimpses of you as the ride comes around, a tiny flash of pink amongst much larger people.  I hold my breath, hoping you aren’t scared.  When the ride finally ends, you come bounding down the ramp proclaiming, “that was awesome!!”  You ride 4 more times…in a row…and I can only smile.   I am proud of your courage, your willingness to face your fear. 

You inherited many things from me, your fair skin, your crowded smile, your short temper to name a few…but your fearlessness, that is uniquely you, and I hope you never, ever, lose it.