We played at one of the coolest places in St Louis , the City Museum, for 6+ hours and it was amazing! The kids loved it, the grown-ups were right in the thick of things. Before I knew it I was climbing through mesh tubes a number of stories up (major fear of heights and falling) following one of my favorite three year old's in the world, reassuring her that she could do it and coaxing her on. My stomach was in knots as I followed her keeping her safe and swaying in the breeze, but we made it and her smile and pride in her accomplishment was so worth it. Her faith and trust in me was what I needed to be brave, to face my fear and keep going, but not only just keep going, but look around in awe and wonder and enjoy the view.
Not only is there this multistory outdoor jungle gym, but there is a rooftop play area as well, complete with a Ferris wheel. I am going to be completely honest, I can't remember the last time I was on a Ferris wheel on the ground, let alone on the top of an 11 story building. But I was working on being open, and since I had already willingly climbed higher than I normally would and through tighter spaces than I already would, nothing was standing in my way. The kids all wanted to ride the Ferris wheel, so 4 kids and 3 adults lined up to wait our turn. This time, my partner was one of my favorite 5 year old's (can't believe she is 5 already!). She is one of the bravest kids I know, going from serial casting to daytime/night time leg braces to fix a walking issue and persevering through the miserable PT and life changes associated with them. This sweet kiddo picked me from the moment we lined up to wait our turn. When we got on she looked at me and said, "this is a little scary" and I admitted to her that I was a little scared too, but we could do this together. And not only did we, but we enjoyed it, the view was incredible from up there and I even got used to all the motion (and got over my ganas de vomitar. haha).
There is something about a child holding your hand and saying "Manda will you slide with me?" that you can't say no too. So my little sweetie and I rode slides all afternoon hand-in-hand, when we could. The important thing is its "one, two, fwee, go!" and on go, you have to let go. Let go of all your anxiety, fear and apprehension and have the perspective to embrace it all. I am not going to say I didn't scream whilst sliding down a few slides, but I didn't just do it and go through the motions, I experienced it. This weekend was a good reminder that there comes a time where you have to let go, and more importantly to embrace life uninhibited by fear that tries to hold you back. I was fearful, I was challenged, and I was reminded of how much I am loved and supported. That was an amazing gift.
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| My girls and I mid-climb |
So while I may be covered with bumps and bruises, and all of my muscles may ache for the next week, I had the most rejuvenating weekend I could have never asked for. I feel loved, inspired and ready to tackle the last few weeks of my first semester of graduate school, what a blessing.
--> For those who have never been, words can't describe the environment that is the City museum, you have to see it and experience it to believe it. I highly recommend going, and challenging yourself not to think too much, not to plan ahead and calculate every move, but experience it like a child.
