Courage Is

There's been a bit of heartache and turmoil at our house as we try to encourage our youngest son to believe in himself. Listening for his small voice is a challenge. Sometimes a particular challenge that causes him great pain. So it is with tremendous reluctance that I accepted an invitation for him to ride in the National Western Stock Show. He professed that he wanted to do it, but his intentions are always bold. It is his actions that can sometimes reflect the battle between his head and his heart.

My head knew his history and that the arena has more than 7000 seats. That's a lot of noisy people. My heart knew I must accommodate his opportunities. Then I read a quote from Mary Anne Radmacher, “Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow.”

Many of the people who happen upon this blog already know that Mason pulled through. On the day he showed up for the rodeo his courage did also. But his own measure of his success is something that very few people know, so I thought I'd share. With the biggest grin I've ever seen him don he hurriedly spelled it out, "This was the best day ever!" Then he poked me right in the cheek and in escalating tones squealed, "I love you, and I love daddy, and I love Coopy, AND I LOVE MYSELF!"

I. Love. Myself.

For me, that made it the best day ever.

And here are the photos:

Our little munchkin at the front of the line!

Here his is, a good head shorter than the rest.

In every group of sheep there is one that moves really slow, Mason by luck of the draw got that sheep.

OK. Mason is the little one standing next to the clown in red and white stripes.

I'm the mother standing to the left of the ww rodeo post with the black shirt and my hands covering my eyes.

I was a little nervous.

Notice how small he is compared to the others.

The superstar with his trophy.