I was suddenly single. I wanted some adventure in my life. I wanted to prove to myself that even though I was divorced at 32, with 5 young children, I still had it in me to "have fun" with the adults.
On a sunny summer afternoon, my older brother and a brother-in-law planned a rapelling trip. I had no training what-so-ever, but I was bound and determined to take part in an adventure that was totally new to me. The guys were experienced and knew the ropes. They had all the right equipment and prepared for the descent off a small rock cliff, hugging the highway, up a nearby canyon.
My family and several of my siblings families, along with my parents, packed a lunch and headed out for an adventurous day.
I remember looking up at the cliff, which was probably around 75 feet high, and thinking... "do I really want to do this?" It wasn't that high in comparison to what most people would rapel from. The day was planned around us amateurs in the family.
I am terrified of heights. And, I had no previous experience in this sport. I watched with anxiousness as other family members made their way down the face of the rock. Each one, a success! Nephews and nieces were part of that group. If they could do it, so could I!
When it was finally my turn, I didn't let on that I was terrified. My brother reassured me that I was in good hands. His oldest son was at the bottom controlling the rope for a safe descent. With my harness snug tight around me and my brother's encouraging words, I cautiously backed to the edge of the rock. I closed my eyes and started walking backwards. It scared me! I panicked. My first thought was to scramble back to the top, to safety. But, I had too much pride to do that! I did a little hop and forced myself from the ledge of the cliff to what I thought would be a frightening, yet safe trip, down the rock. And, I would once and for all, prove to myself that I actually could do this!
Instead of finding any kind of security or footing, I felt myself falling. And falling fast. My nephew did all he could to control the effects of my fall. I swung through the air, hard to the right, and crashed into the side of the rock. I fell to the ground in a heap of pain. I couldn't move. The ambulance was called and I was rushed to the E.R. I had cracked my pelvis, either from the impact of hitting the rock or falling to the ground. I was thankful it wasn't anymore than that. I was on crutches for awhile after that.
Turns out, my adventure turned out to be quite the challenge. I took a week off school and stayed with my parents. My mother was not in any better condition to take care of me. She had just had foot surgery and was on crutches herself. But, I remember her taking care of me in spite of her own pain. I remember thinking how unfair it was that she had to take care of me.
Dad scolded me! A reaction out of fear. Strange as it may seem, but that is one way he showed love and concern. He chastised me and told me I needed to think before doing something as "careless" as this. I had no insurance at the time, and I had 5 children that depended on me. He was right!
My repelling adventure quickly turned into a lesson. Although I wanted to do grown-up things, I had other things to consider. Like...
1. Safety comes first!
2. Being a single parent requires certain considerations. Being a full-bodied healthy mother was most important. I was single, raising 5 children by myself, several hours from home and family. The next few weeks proved to be quite challenging for the kids and I.
3. Weigh the consequences. My family was depending on my success as a new college student. I was working toward a professional degree that would someday land me a good paying job to help sustain my growing family. I had just started another semester of school and put myself in a bad situation of completing it successfully. It was a miracle I got through it! It could have set me back, and I was very lucky it didn't.
4. Be responsible. Yes, I could still have fun. But there were other ways to do accomplish that. At least under my present circumstances.
5. Risky adventures need to be put into perspective. There would be another time for such adventures, and believe me... I've had plenty of opportunity since that day!
6. Rapelling is not for me!
On a sunny summer afternoon, my older brother and a brother-in-law planned a rapelling trip. I had no training what-so-ever, but I was bound and determined to take part in an adventure that was totally new to me. The guys were experienced and knew the ropes. They had all the right equipment and prepared for the descent off a small rock cliff, hugging the highway, up a nearby canyon.
My family and several of my siblings families, along with my parents, packed a lunch and headed out for an adventurous day.
I remember looking up at the cliff, which was probably around 75 feet high, and thinking... "do I really want to do this?" It wasn't that high in comparison to what most people would rapel from. The day was planned around us amateurs in the family.
I am terrified of heights. And, I had no previous experience in this sport. I watched with anxiousness as other family members made their way down the face of the rock. Each one, a success! Nephews and nieces were part of that group. If they could do it, so could I!
When it was finally my turn, I didn't let on that I was terrified. My brother reassured me that I was in good hands. His oldest son was at the bottom controlling the rope for a safe descent. With my harness snug tight around me and my brother's encouraging words, I cautiously backed to the edge of the rock. I closed my eyes and started walking backwards. It scared me! I panicked. My first thought was to scramble back to the top, to safety. But, I had too much pride to do that! I did a little hop and forced myself from the ledge of the cliff to what I thought would be a frightening, yet safe trip, down the rock. And, I would once and for all, prove to myself that I actually could do this!
Instead of finding any kind of security or footing, I felt myself falling. And falling fast. My nephew did all he could to control the effects of my fall. I swung through the air, hard to the right, and crashed into the side of the rock. I fell to the ground in a heap of pain. I couldn't move. The ambulance was called and I was rushed to the E.R. I had cracked my pelvis, either from the impact of hitting the rock or falling to the ground. I was thankful it wasn't anymore than that. I was on crutches for awhile after that.
Turns out, my adventure turned out to be quite the challenge. I took a week off school and stayed with my parents. My mother was not in any better condition to take care of me. She had just had foot surgery and was on crutches herself. But, I remember her taking care of me in spite of her own pain. I remember thinking how unfair it was that she had to take care of me.
Dad scolded me! A reaction out of fear. Strange as it may seem, but that is one way he showed love and concern. He chastised me and told me I needed to think before doing something as "careless" as this. I had no insurance at the time, and I had 5 children that depended on me. He was right!
My repelling adventure quickly turned into a lesson. Although I wanted to do grown-up things, I had other things to consider. Like...
1. Safety comes first!
2. Being a single parent requires certain considerations. Being a full-bodied healthy mother was most important. I was single, raising 5 children by myself, several hours from home and family. The next few weeks proved to be quite challenging for the kids and I.
3. Weigh the consequences. My family was depending on my success as a new college student. I was working toward a professional degree that would someday land me a good paying job to help sustain my growing family. I had just started another semester of school and put myself in a bad situation of completing it successfully. It was a miracle I got through it! It could have set me back, and I was very lucky it didn't.
4. Be responsible. Yes, I could still have fun. But there were other ways to do accomplish that. At least under my present circumstances.
5. Risky adventures need to be put into perspective. There would be another time for such adventures, and believe me... I've had plenty of opportunity since that day!
Writing prompt # 5: Write about a time you tried something new.
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