At the beginning of the summer, Boy 3 screamed and scratched and clawed at me if we got into deep water at the pool.
The human soul is a complicated thing, and when his met a diving board in California, it suddenly became brave.
Never have I felt such triumph as I did when he began to dive and do flips off that silly board. There is no more encouraging sight than courage in my children. I thrill whenever they rise above the challenges life presents.
My hungry hope that these babies I once held are going to be okay is fed a satisfying meal with every courageous leap they take. The truth is, I am always a little afraid for them, and their own courage reassures my tremulous heart.
Dear children, these are the best words I can find to tuck you in with at night:
“Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don’t be afraid.”
― Frederick Buechner
I think I will tuck myself in with them as well.
We can be brave together. I have always been a bit skittish in deep water with you myself. While you bravely dive, I will bravely sit and watch with a calm smile on my face.
I love you so much I would like both of your feet on solid ground for the rest of your life. But I know that isn’t realistic. So I will take this world as it comes, full of beautiful and terrible happenings.
And I will not be afraid.
