a true story about big feelings
The Water Was Too Cold
Everybody's already splashing, and my girl is planted on the edge with one toe out, backing up.
the realization
I couldn't cheer her into the water. The second I stopped selling it and just sat down with my own feet in, she had room to come find it herself.
Everybody was already in. Big splashes, all that laughing. I did the bright voice, 'Come on, it's fun!' She didn't move. Just stood at the edge, arms tight, watching it like it might grab her.
have you ever felt this way too?
So she tried it her way. One toe in. Then no, back she went. I kept talking it up, promising how great it felt once you got used to it. And the more I sold it, the further back she got. I was basically chasing her away with cheerfulness.
So I quit. I just stopped the whole show, sat down on the edge, and put my own feet in the water. Didn't say come on. Didn't look at her. I just sat there making little ripples for nobody, letting the cold be the cold.
And after a while, on her own clock, she reached out and touched it. One hand. Then she was next to me, feet in, the two of us watching the water do nothing much at all.
what I found myself saying
""It's cold, huh. It is.""
""You don't have to. I'm just gonna sit here.""
""Come sit with me. We can just watch it.""
