“C’mon, it’s GREAT! It’s so much FUN! We’re right here. We’ll catch you. You’ll be fine. Just jump! You don’t know what you’re missing. See? We’re all right here for you.” The kids coached and cajoled me, their faces glowing with life.
One by one, they took their turn to have a swing. Someone on the ground would throw the rope up to them, they’d hold on tight, and just jump off the roof, clinging onto the rope and propping their feet on the knot. Wheeee!
I was 14 and afraid of heights. A ladder leaned against the garage. It was all I could do, really, just to follow them up onto the roof. I sat up there, all quivery and with sweaty hands. (My hands are damp now, just remembering!) This was a big thing for me. I made it to the roof! So high off the ground! Whew! Deep breath.
I tried to get off the roof the same way I got up, but that was impossible because I couldn’t see where the ladder was. The only way down was to follow all the others, and jump. No way could I EVER do that! My arms aren’t strong. My feet won’t find the knot. It was hard enough just getting to the top of the garage! OK for them to jump off into oblivion, but I was proud just having got to where I sat.
In an instant, I saw this rope swing like a wild fairground ride. Many had gone before me and they survived. It looked scary, but it also looked exhilarating and FUN. All I had to do was hold on tight to the rope – not think about it – and jump.
I managed to stand up on the edge of the roof. I grabbed hold of that thick rope – too fat to get my hands around – and held on for dear life. After counting to three in my head, I just emptied my mind and stepped off the roof.
Wow! It was GREAT!! I had never felt so amazing in my life, swinging back and forth on that rope, nor more grateful to eventually reach solid ground. That experience has always been a touchstone for me. Whenever something paralyzes me with fear, I say to myself, “Hey! Have other people done this and lived? All there is to do is hold on tight and jump.
Lois Bolton
Lois Bolton is a guest contributor. She lives in Cardiff, Wales, UK
For more on taking risks, click here to read “JAWS…revisited”
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Lois:
When we think about it childhood in many, many, many ways is what life is all about….freedom and mischief, risk taking and learning, spontaneity and creativity.
Children are mature enough to say no, and wise enough to talk things out to conclusion.
We need to practice what we teach our children, nieces/nephews and grandchildren. We need to put spontaneity back in our lives. We feel old because we act old.