The Jump...

As you may or may not know...Miley Cyrus' song, "The Climb", is like my life motto at this time.

Some of the lyrics:

I can almost see it

That dream I'm dreaming

but There's a voice inside my head sayin,

You'll never reach it


The struggles I'm facing

The chances I'm taking

Sometimes might knock me down but

No I'm not breaking

Now, if you are like most people, you laugh at that, and tell me I am a nerd for liking Miley Cyrus at my age. But that's OK. It's a great song, that speaks to me.

Yesterday, while at the pool, I witnessed my daughter face a mountain, and she climbed it!!! My oldest daughter, Allison...is my mini me. I see me in her, and quite frankly, sometimes it saddens me. I was not the happiest kid, and was even less happy as a teen.... and to think that she may be just like me in that regard, is worrisome. However!!! she did something yesterday that proves to me that she is strong. She stared FEAR in the face, and pushed through it.

Just this year, Allison has really taken off in swimming. A girl, who at age 8 was still afraid to put her face in the water, now swims with ease. Just two weeks ago, she finally started jumping into the deep end, and realized she could do it easily. Ever since then, she has been struggling with wanting to jump off the diving board. Nothing fancy, just a jump. ......but she was afraid.

So yesterday, she was determined to do it. For the longest time, she practiced jumping into the deep water from the side without her goggles on...because you are not allowed to jump off the diving board with goggles. I swear she must have done that 100 or more times....just to be sure.

So, she finally gets up the courage to "do it". So I move closer, and get my camera.

I watched her gut wrenching attempts to touch the board and stand on it. She would get close, then have to go "practice" again, just to be sure.... Finally, she was able to get on the board, and walk on it. But not to the end. It was scary. She got off. Got back on. Walked a little further...got off. ALMOST gave up....but didn't. Finally, she walked to the end of the board....but backed off one more time.

I could see in her face the emotions I know all to well from my own inner self. She wanted to do this so badly, but was so afraid to, and was getting mad at herself for not being able to do it. After one last little pep talk, she got on the board again. And walked to the edge.



And Jumped.



That was facing fear folks.....She climbed a mountain, and came down the other side. I have not felt more proud ever.



Here are two videos. My battery was running low....as you can imagine, because she did this for soooooooooo long. But I got a try, and success. :) Keep in mind, that she must have walked on and off that diving board 10 times... and pretty much as soon as she hit the water, my camera turned off.

Go Allison! Mom is so proud of you.

A try:

and then success: