The Amazing Alisha -
March 6, 2001
This week our whole family went out for a healthy
lunch of cheeseburgers, fries and chocolate shakes! (I
actually had a taco salad, aren't you proud of me?) While
I was helping Pam back in the car I noticed Alisha, our 2
year old, standing on the curb beside our front bumper.
She lined her little feet up at the edge, bent her knees,
and with great determination jumped off the sheer 5-inch
cliff. It must have been an exhilarating experience
because she ran up the handicap ramp to brave the heights
once again. I thought how Pam and I had just traveled
this route from restaurant to car and never noticed this
golden opportunity for wild adventure.
Our next stop was the local post office where I ran in
to check our mailbox. When I was returning to the car I
couldn't resist the temptation. I stopped on the curb,
set my lip just right, and jumped. I even stepped back up
and did it again just to make sure I hadn't missed
anything. I don't guess curb jumping holds quite the
excitement for a 33 year old that is does for a 2 year
old, but it did bring a grin to my face. And you should
have seen Pam and the girls' expressions as they watched
from the car! We all got to share a laugh and a brief
moment of joy that would have been missed without
Alisha's unique perspective.
I don't have any scholarly insight or instruction for
you today, but that's the point. Maybe you, like me, have
been so busy with the important grownup stuff, you've
forgotten to jump off a curb. Don't get so focused on
making a living you forget to experience life. I know
you're busy, but you have my permission to do something
silly today. (If someone is watching, that's even
better!) And if you need any ideas, I know just the
two-year-old to ask.
