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I was driving home from work yesterday and I watched a very familiar car enter the highway. The bumper stickers sold the driver out, it was my oldest daughter. She was on her way home from work too and we just happened to be at the same spot at the same time. I sped up just a little to look over, smile and wave. She wound up behind me, but not for long.I happened to be behind a semi; my over-the-road nemesis. It takes a lot of courage for me to pass those guys (or gals) and we were coming across a part of the highway that is a tad more narrow, thanks to the good ole George Brett Bridge project. It was not going to happen. I would just have to wait. My daughter though, cruised to my left and with a little devilish smile went right me and that goofy tractor trailer. She beat me home, but only by a hair.I am not a complete chicken, but I certainly have my limits. Okay, many of them. I don’t do heights, which keeps my amusement park fun at the minimum. Flying requires small doses of xanex to keep my heart from pounding out of my chest. We won’t even talk about spiders. Please. There are more, but I don’t want to embarrass myself. I am just not a huge risk taker; get out of my comfort zone kind of gal, though I do occasionally step out of the box.I grew up with my mom and dad who are complete opposites. My dad will try anything and do just about anything. He loves to fly and try new foods. I know he doesn’t mind a semi or two because I have ridden in the car with him, with my hands gripped to the door handle. He isn’t scared to try new things. Completely unlike my mom, who is happier with her feet planted firmly on the ground. She likes her routine and doesn’t stray too far from that.When I was having babies I was worried that my kids would get that more reserved character trait from me. What were the odds they would inherit the little bug that keeps them on a constant lookout for the next adventure? Would they always be jumping and screaming at the spiders or not standing in line for that new and awesome roller coaster? I longed for them to follow their dreams and to take chances. Lots of them and of course, learn a little on the way.Fearless, every single one of my babies is fearless. They are taking chances and trying to reach new heights. They are rocking and rolling on the coasters of life. They have some inhibitions, but nothing like the ones I have carried for a lifetime. They are not letting the tractor trailers get in the way of cruising on the highway. My only hope now is that they take this joie de vivre and carry it with them through every step of their lives to come.
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