overcoming fear

I love this photo of Aerowyn.

It looks like she's having a great time sitting on this alligator statue at the LA Zoo. What you don't know is the back story.

Aerowyn was having a great time on the slide at the zoo until... mama wanted to get a picture of her on the alligator. She happily walked away from the slide, curiosity taking her to check out whatever I must have had planned next. Then she saw it. I admit, it looks real. She froze and broke out into hysterics. Being the "mean mommy" that I am (I wanted that picture, dang it), I took her hand and walked her over there any way. Yes, she looks happy. That's because she has a crowd of people (aka family) basically doing backflips and cheering to get her to do the same.

It's funny how we can overcome some big fears as little people. We overcome to try new things... and end up ok. As we get older, we let the fear get the best of us. Fear of rejection, fear of failure, fear of just about anything. I wish we could remember what we knew as little kids. I think they have the right idea.