STEP

I grew up across the street from a creek. This creek was basically every neighborhood kids "swimming pool" and our parents’ conveniently located babysitter. When the water was high we used it for rock skipping practice - I am a pretty good rock skipper...yes Linked-In take note on this skill ;-0). We would collect polliwogs too (baby frogs lol) and put them in jars for our parents but when the water was low we would adventure into the creek to find pockets of water that we can use as a personal pool to cool off on hot summer days.

On one of those hot summer days, my brother Carlos and I ran down to creek and found one of these holes – He was about 5 and me about 7. The hole couldn't have been wider than 4 feet. He jumped in and within seconds was grasping for air,he desperately waved his hands back and forth and between swallows of dirty creek water called my name “Martha, Martha” - he was getting sucked in. I was losing my brother quickly. What do I do, what do I do? I panicked and I don't know how I did it but I pulled him out. I have been afraid of water ever since that day.

Throughout my life, I've had the great fortune to have travelled to amazing beaches, been to places with amazing pools. I am so grateful but at these amazing places I would always stay out of anything water. I'd joke to cover my fear and use the excuse "I am a land lizard" and sit in my chair listening to laughter that I am never part of. How many more times was I going to miss out, how many opportunities would I have with these amazing humans to laugh and be part of - I asked myself.

This week, I took a few days off to pause a bit - we are staying at a place with a nice pool. My girls and I walked to the pool and to their surprise instead of sitting out and doing things “land lizards” do, I stood on the pool steps. I PAUSED. My daughters were bit confused as to why I was standing there…..in the water. I don’t know why I said this but I said "what do I do"? I guess I just needed reassurance that "they had me". What I heard next was exactly what I needed to hear. I hear this very simple word STEP - that’s it, just ….. STEP. One daughter held my hand and the other stood in front of me and just like that I took my first step into something I have been avoiding most of my life. They laughed nervously at first, I did too but within minutes I was enjoying this moment. I had the most amazing time with my girls this random non particular day of pausing - we laughed like no other time … and yes, we did it in the water.

Lessons learned:

·     We never know why people do and don’t do things

·     Life is short, tomorrow is not promised

·     Fear may keep you from amazing opportunities-step. Just step

·     Stepping is easier with love

·     Pausing is a good thing

·     Laugh, laugh, laugh any moment you can

·     Never give your mom polliwogs as gifts - they hate that ;-O)

Much love everyone ~ Martha