The Wall

Hmmmm - how did that happen? We missed August! Everyone was out having so much fun that blogging didn't happen. Well, for all of you faithful that keep checking, we're back! At least I am - just been getting in the blogging mood lately.

So I have an example to share. I'm sure many of you will relate, especially if you're getting old like me.

It all began when Dave suggested we do the unexpected thing last Saturday. Our son, Logan, had an all day soccer tourney in Portland. so I just assumed we would attend that since we almost always do. But then Dave decides to skip the "parenting" plan and go to the coast instead. Well, technically, we were still going to watch our other son, Cole, although he didn't really need us there for moral support. Really it just sounded like the fun thing to do, especially since they were going to play in the sand. As in dunes.

So when we get to the dunes, we pull up to this great wall of sand. We break out our lawn chairs and snacks and proceed to observe the daredevils going up and down the wall of sand in various contraptions of roll bars, seat belts and crash cages. This is quite entertaining and relaxing since the weather is fine and everyone is having fun. The other mother there was commenting how she had just had surgery (that's what you do when you're old - compare medical history) and how she was perfectly content to sit and watch for the whole weekend. I'm thinking - me too. This is so fine, I'm so comfortable and warm in my blanket.

But after awhile I started imagining what the waves must look like today. And I start wondering what those daredevils see when they get to the top of that wall. Can they see the waves? More dunes? Is it flat or another wall? I've GOT to know.

So I ask someone if I can walk to the top of the wall, just to look. He says, "oh, you need a ride in the buggy!". I start to protest but the next thing I know I'm in the seatbelt under the roll bar. Brenna decides to ride again just to watch Mom freak out. We drive straight up the wall and then he proceeds to "show us around". Although I'm happy with the view, I'm not too comfortable with this plan, but figure I can grit my teeth for 5 minutes and then he'll take me back to my lawn chair.

Well, I politely try to smile and not gasp as we bounce up one dune and down another, me gripping the roll bar. He keeps looking over to see if I'm enjoying myself. I wonder if I should look happy which might encourage him to try ever more dangerous angles or look scared which could be further misinterpreted. Finally I just relax and do what I've learned from 3 children in driver's training. Pray hard and relinquish uncertain outcomes which are out of your control.

I'm happy to report that by the end of our nearly 1 hour ride we had tackled all the major "fun" areas of the dunes. We saw the awesome huge waves on an expanse of beach almost completely deserted except for us. We saw the inland lakes and and rode the sand waves like a rocking horse. Very cool. If I can figure it out I will post a picture- you can see the far off waves from where I'm standing.

So are you like that? Too often a spectator stuck in your comfy chair and missing the challenges and the rewards? Got a wall blocking your view? Need to release control of something? Do you need to just trust?