The Things We Do for Those We Love

There are certain things we do for our loved ones, certain duties we perform, certain actions that may not be high on our list of pleasant activities. In fact, such activities may rank sky-high on our list of gag-inducing, pain-producing, time-sucking, or fear-fostering moments. You know, situations like childbirth, vomit cleanup, laundry folding, or Sci-Fi movie watching. 

Marriage and parenting require sacrifice - moments of sacrificing the last piece, a clean house, or sleep.

But when love is the driving force, these sacrificial acts feel less like drudgery and more like blessings. They are gifts we give to our family that speak volumes of our love for them. 

So, in one certain situation, when my fear of heights and my horror of falling several stories collided with my dignity and sacrificed any decorum I had, my love for my family was loud and clear. 

Yes, the literal volume may have been loud due to the gravity that violently forced screams from my lungs. But those decibels are nothing compared to the love this act of dread shouted. Because, when your husband and son plead with you to ride this water slide of terror with them, you suck it up. After stalling with a bathroom break and persuasive shorter lines at other slides, that is. Then, you push that fear aside. You throw out any logic or sound judgment and follow them up those endless steep stairs to where the air is so thin that logical thoughts wouldn’t have survived anyway.

Now, how they managed to get me on that slide not once but three times, and capture a video of the highly unflattering spectacle, is beyond me. 

But one thing is clear - my love for these crazy people is fiercely strong. And I know they love me too. Their words and acts of love are communicated daily, despite the occasional thrill-ride coercion.

Our actions can be a way of loving out loud. And sometimes they’re so loud they concern the lifeguards. But that’s okay. No vomit was involved and that’s always a win. 

Plus, between you and me, I sort of, kind of, maybe began to enjoy the death slide. But don’t tell them that. Before I know it they’ll have me on another rollercoaster, and my poor voice can only handle so much love.

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