determination

We went out for a family dinner at Chipotle and the girls immediately asked to sit at the "high chairs" -- the restaurant's windows are lined with bar stools that are, indeed, very high chairs. I said they could, and offered to help Lauren up. She quickly told me, "I can do it," and gave it two very good tries before conceding, "I need a little help." I lifted her onto the stool and whispered in her ear that I was very proud of her good tries. A few minutes later, Kim and I were sitting at an adjacent table eating when we noticed Lauren, with just her chest on the top of her seat and the rest of her flailing about. She was grunting and writhing, trying to find something for her feet to push against so that she could gain a better position. After what seemed like a very long time, she sat up and exclaimed, "I did it!" We congratulated her and continued our conversation. Well, it wasn't long before she jumped down and was at it again, and again, and again. We watched with great admiration as her technique improved but fatigue set it. Her final attempt was agonizing. I'm sure it took everything she had. But when she finally pulled herself upright and turned her triumphant face to me she exclaimed, "That was EASY!" She is a determined little soul.

It reminded me of the time last summer when we visited Riverfront Park in Spokane, Washington. We were there with my parents, walking around, and came to the bridge that crosses the Spokane River where it winds through downtown. It's a heavy wooden bridge and completely solid, but through the narrow gaps between beams you can just see the river rushing below. Lauren, then two-years-old, took one step onto the bridge, looked down, froze, and begged to be picked up. I'd carried her to about the half-way point when she asked to be put down. As she stood, still staring at the water below, I suggested she hold my hand and walk. She took one step, then a few more. I suggested we run, and she surprised me by letting go of my hand and running as fast and fearlessly as she could. And I thought to myself, I hope Lauren conquers all of life's challenges this way.