12.20.2007

The Light at the End of the Tunnel

The purple spiral tunnel slide taunts her, its circular mouth open and inviting, ready to swallow her into twisting and turning darkness. She spends the better part of an hour up there, watching the kids disappear into the long tube, leaving behind only gleeful squeals and laughter. She peers into the slide and sees only the dark. She shouts into the slide and delights at the sound of her voice reverberating through the tunnel. She sticks her head into the opening, quickly withdrawing it, breathless. This dance between paralyzing anxiety and curiosity continues as I climb the structure and make my way toward her. I arrive at the top. She is surprised to see me. Stuffing myself into the small compartment, I spread my legs out into the mouth of the tunnel. She watches as they disappear. I thump my seemingly nonexistent legs against the slide. She smiles with relief. She sits down behind me. I am the engine, she, the caboose. We move ever so slightly into the dark. She panics and grabs the side of the opening. Gently tugging on her free hand, I pull her down into the darkness with me. In that instant before the light goes away, her fear transforms into pure joy. Down, down, down. Together. We emerge into the light. We celebrate. She leaves me at the bottom while she scampers to the top, eager to practice her new accomplishment. And we celebrate each time she reaches the light. Again and again and again.

12 comments:

Marla said...

Lovely! Sounds like great fun!

Lori at Spinning Yellow said...

We've been there too, "the dance paralyzing anxiety and curiosity". Well put.

So glad you helped her through it and she had a chance to have such fun.

Lovely post, my friend. I am sorry we missed the fun today.

Lori at Spinning Yellow said...

oops - supposed to be a "between" between dance and paralyzing.

Christine said...

Oh, aren't those moments beautiful. Lovely post.

S said...

This was so beautifully written.

And...good for her! You awesome mama, you.

kristen spina said...

I loved this! Who can't relate to that feeling of wanting to try and being afraid?

Thanks, Delilah...may you and your sweet girl have many more days of holding hands through the dark and into the light.

tulipmom said...

Hooray to your daughter for trying something scary and new!

This was beautiful.

floating in space said...

Thanks everyone! The expression on Kate's face is forever etched into my memory.

Niksmom said...

This is beautiful; so well captured in your words. Such a gift you gave her, too, company to help her find her courage.

floating in space said...

Niksmom- Thanks for reading!

whymommy said...

Oh, beautiful! And beautifully said! I felt like I was right there behind you guys on the slide!

floating in space said...

Whymommy- Thanks for visiting!