Be Brave, Mommy

I watched Maeve shoot down the very steep slide at the new park, while I sat at the top.

She turned back around to look up at me while I hesitated; it was my turn to go down the slide, and for heaven's sake, my two year old had managed just fine.  And she called out, "Be brave, Mommy!"

Well, after that, I had to.  I felt my stomach drop a little, but I went down that steep slide, and it was pretty fun.  My kid has good taste in slides, that's for sure.

And now I try to remember, did I ever tell Maeve to be brave?  I don't think I did, I think I just praised her for it after the fact, on many occasions.  But now she turns it around on me, and how can I be anything else?  Apparently it's part of a mommy's job, to be brave.

Okay, sweetheart, I will be as brave as I can.  I will go down the slides with you, I will take those smaller and bigger risks when they come up, as long as it gets you to smile and be proud of me.  It's you and me, sweetie, and you are already so brave, I have a lot of catching up to do.  But I will be brave for you, with you, alongside you.