It's like riding a bike...

Over the weekend my daughter decided to take the training wheels off of her bike.  It only took a couple of hours for her to get the hang of it, but I'm sure that while they were happening, they felt like two of the longest hours of her little life.  She began with much trepidation and every fall was accompanied by some drama - but as she began to gain confidence and her balance, the falls were less and less of a big deal.  She actually fell more the better she got at first, but the "taste" of victory was there and so they were only minor "snags".   Soon she was riding without falling much at all.

I'm so much more kind and patient with my daughter when she is learning new things than I am with myself.  I need to remember (while I'm being tough on myself) that frustration can be part of it and to get right back up and start again.

She is now working on using the brakes while she rides...and that's a whole other lesson for me too. :-)

Here are some pics from the day...

Onward and Upward!

Shortly after midnight this morning (EST) the 3 recipients of the SOAR! scholarship were revealed. I was not among them.

There are some of you who might not agree with the phrase "It was meant to be" -and I'm not sure that in all circumstances that phrase is applicable - but here I think it is in both the spiritual and practical sense of things for me. I am absolutely certain that the timing of the application process was serendipitous for me. It literally forced me to clarify what I want at this point in my life and "claim" that by putting MY voice to it. Incredibly powerful and meaningful for me.

On top of that, I asked friends and family to view my video application and lend me their support. The comments that people left on the site and in messages to me meant more to me than I can adequately express with words here - and with them came the realization long before the announcement that I had already WON!

So...onward and upward. Other people's gains do not indicate a lack for us. Please come back and check the blog out - become a follower - leave comments. More posts and photos to come!!!

Here are some recent shots of my girl - I was playing with strong window sunlight...