Lessons from the Waterslides
by Linda Reed

An incident from last summer was the inspiration for these thoughts.

We had a fun day– I think… We were invited to "The Waterslides." Having just had one of those big birthdays that makes one reflective, the waterslides seemed a little younger than us.

But, in an effort to remain "forever young" I took up my towel and headed up. "Let's do it." I said to several of my also aging friends. While our pastor husbands were "talking church," we would have some fun.

We climbed to the top of the waterslides. Little kids with wet heads surrounded us. Young mothers were there too -- fit and tanned. A few dads too, strong and taking it on. Our kids weren’t with us – they were off to college, living on their own, or not to be seen near us.

We took the middle slide – not too young, not too wild. I sailed around the bends with the water dousing my hair, and belly laughs coming from my own throat. It was fun. I felt young again. I landed in the pool, not quite over my head, I could stand and laugh and say…that was great! We did it again, and once again.

Not to be outdone, we eyed the red slide. It was said to be faster, wilder. It didn't look more dangerous than the first we had taken. From the outside perspective, the ride was actually vertically lower, the bends less often. Arising to the top after several fun rides, we said "Let's do it." Or was it just me who said it?

My slightly younger friend accepted the challenge. She sat down, undaunted, ready to go. She slipped away with the water and we watched her go. We heard a thud, but couldn't ask her about it – she was now in the pool at the bottom. We'd heard of another who'd banged his head, but who knows…that may have just been a fluke.

I stood at the top. It had been my idea….do I let her down? Do I chicken out now?

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