First Step

I was just sitting here watching my 1 year old grand daughter walk around from room to room. Stopping just long enough to touch whatever is in her path, then she's off again . Babbling to herself as she goes. It's so wonderful to see her exploring now when just last week she was holding on to the coffee table for dear life. Reaching for a finger, any finger that would help get her from here to there. Completely dependent on other people to get her to where she wanted to go.

Up until now, every time she tried to let go she would fall down. But then one day... she just let go. Look at her now! She is so proud of herself. She's free to go wherever she wants now whether there is a finger going that way or not.

Her adventures have only just begun. I'm so excited for her. I can't wait to see where all she goes from here.

Sometimes she still reaches up for a finger or stops by the coffee table for some encouragement and support. It's nice to know that they will still always be there, but better to know that she can do it alone if she needs to.

As I watch her, I realize how we are constantly taking that proverbial first step over and over again throughout our lifetime.

Although we may still be a little scared to let go of the fingers we have held on to for so long, we keep on stepping. From one adventure to the next. Conquering our fears along the way.

It's comforting to know that there are still fingers to hold and coffee tables to lean on should we need them, but satisfying to know that we can do it alone if we need to. It's good to look back, to see where we've come from and allow ourselves to be proud of where we are.

It's even more exciting to know that there is yet another adventure just around the corner waiting for us to take that first step... again.