My Answer Was Yes

   My Answer was Yes!

It seemed inevitable

Bagging groceries at the local IGA

What other jobs are there for kids in this small town?

Summer dread

All that changed staring at the tall ship on the River at the end of Main Street

The question came out of the blue:

“How would you like to sail that, Kate? We need a crew.”

My heart raced, my mind in a frenzy.

Now might be a good time to admit:

I had never sailed a day in my life.

Not one to take risks

Out of the box?

Not for me.

Humiliation too much a searing possibility

This is who I was

Now, the late August sun sets low along the River

My last sail

How did I make it this far?

Becoming part of the family

Memories of riotous laughter

Captain calling, “Release line one!”

The lapping of the water against the hull

This is what is want my heart wants to hear

Seeing the deep blue water

Brilliant white clouds in the sky

A world through my yellow- tone sunglasses

This is what my heart longs to see

Finding courage in myself

Taking risks and making mistakes

They were all a part of learning

This is who I have become

A new me

So glad my answer was, “Yes!”