Author Information
THE CLIMB
I had to climb the ladder in our bookstore the other day
to retrieve some books off the upper shelves…
as I do from time to time….
and I was immediately enveloped by a memory
as I began to climb.
I flashed back to when I was a child…
standing at the foot of the diving board ladder
at our community swimming pool.
My dad was there about to teach me a lesson…
the kind you do not learn in school.
I had never climbed that ladder before…
and as saw it ascending high into the sky
I said, “I don’t think I can do this, Dad...
the ladder’s much too high.”
To which my dad said, “Oftentimes in life, son,
if you choose to face your fear...
you will find the ladders you’re confronting
are not as tall as they appear.”
That was my dad…always ready to give advice
I’m sure he thought profound….
urging me to climb to the heavens…
while he was safe upon the ground…
But I faced my fears….I climbed that ladder
I dove into the pool…
and not only was it sweet…
but by the smile on our faces it was hard to tell
who was prouder of my feat.
And the lesson I learned that day…
was one my dad already knew…
and one I still hold in high esteem
If I fill my mind with doubts and fears
there is no room for my dreams.
