She stood over the pool in her chocolate and fuchsia swimming suit, poised on the front of the diving blocks, her toes curled around the edge. She clutched the lime green noodle around her middle as she looked down at her teacher beckoning her to jump. She shook her head and climbed down, shoulders slumped in disappointment.

She jumped off the side of the pool into the water and dunked her head under at her teacher's encouragement. Climbing on top of four kick boards, she found the courage to leap. Emboldened by this, she climbed onto eight kick boards. Taking a deep breathe, and with her teacher's coaxing, she jumped into the cool, deep water.

She eyed the blocks again and climbed up. Holding on tight to the noodle and to a second teacher's hand, she bent down to jump. Once. She straightened back up. Twice. No go. Her eyes fearful, she glanced over her shoulder at those of us watching her, smiling our encouragement. Taking a deep breathe and squaring her shoulders, she bent down again and took flight.

I am so proud of you for tackling your fear, my honey child!