YES, YOU CAN DO IT

A five-year old little girl was quietly sitting on a four-foot high metal fence overlooking the
Santa Cruz Pacific ocean, just a few feet from a cliff beneath her dangling legs. Her father stood behind her; his arms gently but securely holding and bracing her for safety.

They were quiet together, lost in the serenity of the sun glistening on the waters below as surfers found waves to ride.

It was time to go. The father quietly picked up his daughter from the fence as she gently resisted leaving her sitting spot. She resisted with her entire body, seemingly wanting to stay longer. He removed her anyway, placing her on the ground several feet back from the fence. Free from his arms, she started to run back to climb on the railing.

'"Oh you just want to prove something eh?" he said, his tone not mean, yet judgmental and sounding more like a reaction to her determination.

A brief moment later, as though he had heard his own tone of voice, he added, "Go do it." This time, his voice carried a tone of confidence in his daughter, and maybe freedom from his own fear. It was a shift to "Yes, you can do it, I trust you. And I can support the trust you have in yourself."

He released his hold on her. She ran free. When she reached the fence, she placed both hands on the top railing, pulled herself up part way...then dropped back down to the ground, turned, and ran back to her dad, into his arms...and they hugged each other. No words. They walked away holding hands.