Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Wild At Heart

“Adventure, with all its requisite danger and wildness, is a deeply spiritual longing written into the soul of a man.”
This tree in New Orleans Zoo came face to face with 3 fierce warriors and a brave little girl who were determined to win this battles regardless of how many tears they had to shed in the process. It is meant to be climbed and conquered (there is a sign in it that tells you not to climb any farther). So I ask them if they were up for the challenge and up the branch they went. Most of them came down a time of two but just HAD to beat this beast. All of them but Brady shed tears on the way up but would not give up. It is amazing how that sense of adventure runs so deep even in the most cautious child.
I wish you could see that tongue sticking out. He is determined to do it. The youngest of the 4 and scaled it like it was nobody's business. He knows little fear and I LOVE that about him. I pray that God gives me the wisdom and nerves to not squash this in him!!!!

When he accomplishes something Big he gets this very specific smirky grin that is so soul satisfying that sometimes I push him just to see that grin. Today I got it when he finally pooped in the potty (and not in the yard but that is for another post :))

As you see Brady is just chilling waiting on the others. Anna and Jake made it and Eric, bless his heart, just could not bring himself to stop until he finished. He did it and he grinned from ear to ear at his accomplishment.

This was a glimpse at what took place on the way up. Isn't it amazing that they can be this scared but want to keep going? This event was by far my favorite point of the trip to the zoo. These boys walked away feeling like they accomplished a big feet and well I think they did!!!!!


3 comments:

Jenn said...

I don't think I've ever seen a tree like that! And that's some awesome determination. :)

alieta young casey said...

Love it! Charlie already lights up when he does something "big" by himself, like turning on his cd or going down the stairs. But he still runs to me to celebrate all his big boy accomplishments. Oh, boys are the best!

Momof3 said...

Poor Eric, it started to pour down rain just as he got to the top and he didn't get a picture of him capturing his beast. What do you think it says about Anna that she was the 2nd one up and she was wearing a dress? I do love that little girl! What a fun day we had, I am so glad we were all together and this will be a great "cousin memory".