MountainMornings

My Nashville visit is coming to an end. It was short, only four days, but we packed a lot of sweetness into this visit, and that’s not including all that Halloween candy. 

Of course we stopped into Parnassus books with the baby, who is now officially two years old and no longer a baby. He is a happy camper and parrots everything we say. We played with the trains at the train table, made a new friend, and found a few new books. 

Last night was a double feature featuring “Little Elliot, Big Fun!” The Bride cuddled with the Love Bug and the Baby, ahem Toddler Bear, fresh from their bath. I had the honor of reading to all three from this beautifully illustrated picture book about an elephant on a boardwalk. A Jersey girl delight!

Little did I know it was a book about anxiety for kids. Elliot the elephant approached his walk on the boardwalk with trepidation. “What if” … questions littered his path. For instance he didn’t want to ride the big swings, because what if he flew into the water? He couldn’t swim. 

When we got to the part about the roller coaster, of course I went off script. The Bug said she wouldn’t ride a roller coaster and I had to agree. I never liked roller coasters and avoid them at all costs. Then I looked at the Bride and said, “Do you like roller coasters?”

I knew that my big girl loves roller coasters, even the scary kind they barely strap you into and swing your legs upside down. She and Bob would always ride them again and again. 

“I just LOVE roller coasters,” the Bride said. 

“Well,” said the Bug looking pensively, “I changed my mind. I really like roller coasters!” 

Because Life is a roller coaster and you’re not always strapped in very well, and your stomach can sink and your eyes might squeeze shut. And when it’s time to get off, you want to be sure you enjoyed the ride.