You Made It.

What a gift it is to make it to this moment

Our son Jasper has been on many flights already in his twenty months of life. He points up at the sky in amazement whenever an airplane goes by and yells, “AIRPLANE! AIRPLANE!”

And yet, despite this, and even his obsession with airplane books and control towers and his little airplane toys, he seems to have recently developed a fear of flying.

On a flight we took a few weeks ago he started to get scared as we made our way on the jet bridge… squirming in my arms and yelling, “No airplane!” As we sat in our seats and got settled in, it looked like it was going to be smooth sailing, and then right at take off, he started to freak out… I mean, rightfully so. He seemed like he was finally making sense that the plane he sees flying randomly in the sky, just happens to be exactly what’s happening to him when he’s inside one of those flying tubes.

It is wild when you think about it… and while he was processing this I held him close. He cried and nestled in my arms… scared and also trusting in Dad to take care of him. I felt his body exhale and somewhat succumb to the inevitable flight we were already embarking upon.

As he got settled in and regulated, he looked over at his mom and decided he wanted to sit down and play with his diggers and dump trucks (he’s obsessed with all things construction and truck-related). All was well again in the world.

I want to share two things this reminded me of before I share the most amazing part of this experience and what Jasper taught me:

1. As the saying goes, “this too, shall pass.” The storms of life come, and they go. And it’s so easy, when we’re in the midst of the storm, to forget that it’s a storm or a season or a moment. So, wherever you’re at, go get one of those good, cozy hugs, take a deep breath, and just exhale and allow yourself to be held. Know, this too, shall pass. And if you’re feeling good and not in need, offer this opportunity to be held to someone you love who may be going through it.

2. Fear is important. It can tell us of very real dangers, and allow us to avoid unnecessary pain and suffering… and also, if we are overtly cautious in how we live life, fear can also cause us great pain and suffering because it never allows us to expand in the unknown. And while from an evolutionary lens, this makes perfect sense to ensure survival — from a call of your soul for you to step into your great, yet unrealized self, fear can be what holds you hostage to a familiar life that always has you yearning for more.
   

   So, in essence, observe your fear, honour it, and certainly question it… especially if it’s preventing you from taking the risk of being yourself.

When we finally landed and the wheels hit the ground, everyone applauded the captains. We said to Jasper, “We did it! We’re here!”

And he yelled with pride and ecstasy, “I made it! I made it!”

Yes, son. You made it. And we are oh, so proud. Of you, your resilience, your courage, and your contagious joy.

I tell you this story so that you too, can realize that you made it. You’re here. You’re in this moment. You have been through some shit… and as the saying goes, “You didn’t come this far, just to come this far.”

I know life can be daunting. It can rock you to your core. It can have you questioning who you are, your purpose, your passions, and your capabilities. It can erode your trust in the world, others and yourself.

These are the storms we weather in life. These are what shape us.

And yet, when storm after storm has hit, I think we can often get to a place where we’re thinking about the storm more than the sunshine.

I’ve been there… HELL, I think I’m just leaving there.

My son reminds me, as I hope he reminds you, that we made it.

Put your hand on your heart. Take a deep breath. Acknowledge yourself. You did it.

And now it’s time to allow yourself some sunshine.

I hope you have the most beautiful day.