June 2010 . . . almost a year and a half since I posted on my blog. So what is so important to warrant this post now? . . . Well I have a new hero . . . or heroine to be more correct. She's been taking a lot of flack in the press . . . she and her parents too. That is what has prompted me to post.
Abby Sunderland of California is a 16 year old girl who has attempted a solo sailboat trip around the world. Jessica Watson of Australia (also 16 years old) has completed her solo global circumnavigation making her the youngest ever to make the trip. Abby's current attempt came to an unfortunate end in the Indian Ocean with a broken mast and the unfortunate loss of her 40 foot sailboat "Wild Eyes."
Jessica and Abby and their parents have both been the subject of criticism for wrecklessness for attempting and allowing such an adventure at such young ages. Abby's rescue cost the Australian people and commercial fishing boats hundreds of thousands of dollars. This too, has been fuel to the criticism . . . why should others have to pay for the 'foolish risks' of a few?
So why are these girls and their parents elevated to 'hero' status in my opinion? Their courage, determination, perseverance, skills, training, mental fortitude, and the magnitude of their dreams are inspiring . . . When I consider what they have attempted and think about my accomplishments, I'm afraid I feel quite small. I was 40 years old when these girls were born. I have (and continue to) work hard and have accomplished much. I've encountered many challenges and have suffered many devastating defeats. But there is nothing that I have attempted that comes anywhere close in magnitude to what these girls have done. Risky? You bet! Foolish? No. It would be foolish for me to attempt such a feat as I lack the skills, the experience, the training and the support of those who have the expertise. Abby has grown up on the sea and with sailing vessels. Her adventure was risky but not foolish. Her adventure should be an inspiration to us all . . . especially to parents! Dare to let your children dream and then do all you can to empower their dreams. While it's true that you might loose them . . . what a life they might have in the trying!
Me? . . . Abby and Jessica and other like-minded young people are pushing me to re-examine the whole realm of dreaming . . . I think I need to do some stretching exercises!
Abby Sunderland . . . I salute you! May there be a "Wild Eyes II" in your future.
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I wholeheartedly agree. I think there are many who are tragically envious that these young people are more capable and bold, more daring and courageous than they themselves. There are people who die every day driving cars, but we do not call parents wreckless for allowing such. This young woman has trained and has skills and I consider her attempt a victory in that she survived and showed great poise and strength in the face of a challenging set back. She may not achieve the feat of youngest to circumnavigate the globe (although her brother did before her, then to be unseated by the other young lady). I have children who I love, and I want them to thrive and succede in all that they do. If God gives them abundant skills that allows them to perform extraordinary feats, then who am I to hamstring them with my own inadequacies and insecurities. Wouldn't each of us love to look back to our youth and have fabulous adventures to relate? I think she and her family enjoy a sport that has risks, just like many others, and they probably would have mourned her loss had she not been rescued, but obviously decided it is better to step out and live life rather than hide in hopes that trials and tribulations don't somehow find us.
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