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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Bold (emotionally) (08/30/07)
The sun shone in the window. As Chris woke up, squinting at the bright sunlight, he made up his mind. Today is the day, he thought. He didn't know when he was going to do it, and he wasn't quite sure how, but somehow he knew. The time was right.

As the day wore on, however, doubts began to fill Chris' mind. Was he really ready? Had he made all the proper preparations? What if something went wrong? Everyone else is doing it, he reassured himself. But yet again, that nagging voice spoke to him again. Something about friends jumping off a bridge.

Chris once more convinced himself the time was right. He pulled himself to his feet. He could do this.... Or, maybe not, he thought, as he sat down once again, defeated.

He tried to put his finger on what exactly was stopping him. Was it fear? Probably. But of what? The unknown? Knowing he couldn't turn back? Knowing that this decision could very well impact the rest of his life? Or was it something a bit simpler? Maybe he just wasn't ready. He was comfortable the way things were. Maybe Chris was just stuck in a rut. He didn't like change. No, he did like some changes, he reminded himself. Maybe this would be one of those good changes.

Everyone else does it. Maybe he didn't want to be like everyone else. Maybe he wanted to be different. Besides, it's just too hard, Chris thought, as he remembered the times he had tried and failed. And he wasn't feeling too well either, he reasoned.

Chris wrestled with the decision all day. Doubts kept flying at him like arrows from all sides. But the encouragements acted as a shield to deflect those arrows. So what if he was a little bit scared? Sometimes it's okay to follow the crowd. And if he failed again this time, he'd just try again some other day.

Chris stood up. Steady now, steady. You can do it. And with one final encouragement, Chris let go of the coffee table and took his first feeble steps towards his mother's arms, as she swept him up in a bear hug. "Yes! I did it!" Chris yelled. But all his mom and dad heard was a happy giggle.
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This article has been read 1890 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Verna Cole Mitchell 
09/08/07
This story is delightful. It just carried me along with a bit of wonder to its clever end.
Joanne Sher 
09/08/07
You got me - had NO idea where this was going, but I was not at all displeased. Delightful story! Love it.
Sharlyn Guthrie
09/08/07
How very cute and clever! Your grown-up thoughts are perfect for the situation. They caused me to make some spiritual applications, as well.
Laurie Walker
09/09/07
I reread this with my baby in mind...could see everything going through her mind. Wonderful. Simply wonderful.
Dee Yoder
09/09/07
If we could only hear what our babies were thinking...! Clever, cute, and bold. Wonderfully charming!
Betty Castleberry
09/12/07
What a charming story. I didn't have a clue what was really going on until the end. Thumbs up.
Beth LaBuff 
09/12/07
Aw.... :) My grandson just learned to walk a month ago... This is great!!
Sherrie Jackson
09/12/07
Goodness! This is just too sweet. I, of course, had to go read it a second time. I love the creativity in this (and especially the line about "something about friends jumping off a bridge"). Great job. ;-)
Brenda Buikema
09/12/07
Hear me clapping? This was great, never figured it out until the end! Great writing! Good stroy telling. Keep up the great writing.
Loren T. Lowery
09/12/07
All I can do is smile : )
This was just too cute...the ending was totally unexpected! Great job!
Patty Wysong
09/12/07
Too Cute!! There are times when you really do see them processing things to that degree. Great! :-) Hugs!!
Jacquelyn Horne
09/13/07
Very cute! Certainly surprising. A bold first step.
Janice Cartwright
09/13/07
This was too cute to pop and you had me in your grip all the way to the bottom. So many spiritual analogies and lessons we can take from a baby's first steps.