A chore filled day had preceded a sumptuous homemade meal for dinner. The table chatter rendered from our granddaughter bits and pieces of experiences from camp that day. Her riding escapades had taken second place to the water events with the other campers. The leisurely after dinner activities included watering the garden and harvesting the cucumbers for pickling. Reveling in her new found ability to ride her bicycle our girl mounted the new cycle and took off for a journey around the house. As I stood near the deck watching I could hardly believe my eyes as she rode down the hill straight toward a giant black walnut tree. Shouting for her to apply the brakes I watched in horror as she ran squarely into the tree. We ran to her aid as we helped her untangle herself from the forced tree hug she had engaged. With just a few scratches and a lot of her tears behind us we settled down with thankful hearts for a restful evening ahead. The experience dulled not a moment of her enthusiasm to experience the fullness of her summer adventures. After a third day of “horse camp” experiences she returned home to mount the bicycle again. This time, brakes were in full function and her joy of peddling around and around the house was fulfilled. Success is measured not by avoidance but rather by intentional engagement!
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