letters to our daughters | october 2013 | brave

 

Dear Maddy,

This month, we finally took our family trip to Disneyland.  I always knew your were brave and somewhat fearless. However, after riding California Screamin’ our first day at California Adventure, the roller coaster got the best of  you!  It was the first time, in a while, that I could observe your fear.  As our last night in the park- and our trip- was coming to an end, I could see the internal struggle going on inside your head as you debated riding the roller coaster for your second and final time.

After you watched your Dad and me return from our quick trips on the ride, I could tell that you really wanted to go, but the fear of the second drop was tearing you apart.  I finally convinced you to “just let go and enjoy the ride”, and we made our way through the line.  You kept yawning and shivering.  Yes, I did have a fleeting moment of mom guilt, but I had nothing but confidence in you to tackle the ride.

It was a quick line- down to a ten minute wait.  We made our way to the fourth row of cars and waited a brief moment for our car to pull up…deep breath!  We sat down; we pulled the overhead bars down; we clasped our hands and tightened our grip on your handle; we took another deep breath.  I asked you to trust me and just let go.  We made our way to the launch point, and then that all too familiar announcement came through on the speakers….5….4…3…2…1…scream!  We were off!  Up the hill and down our first descent…deep breath…twists and turns…and then we approached our second hill…the one you feared…and you look at me from behind the overhead bars and say, “I’ve got this!’…and you let yourself go!  By the end of the ride, you even managed to put your arms in the air and smile brighter than the surrounding lights!  You are my brave girl!

At the end of the ride, you told me that you had made a wish earlier in the day that you would “overcome your fear of riding roller coasters”.  Well, you know what they say about Disney…it is a place where your dreams come true!  Although, I knew you had it in you all along!

I Love You, my brave girl!

Mommy

p.s.

You also said that you should always trust your mother! (Just putting this in writing!)

 

please check out all of the wonderful letters- and see some amazing pictures- from this incredibly talented group of women…starting with my friend, Kim!