Are You A Wimp?

“Hit it” I yell to the driver of the boat.

I am almost 40 years old I think to myself. How am I going to do this?

The handle flies out of my hand. The water shoots up my nostrils. The pain begins from my toes up through my now aching head. And yet, the boat circles around and I hold up one finger to indicate one more try.

I am not a wimp I say to myself. I can do this. I mean come on Milissa your dad is on that boat you cannot stop.

Me!!

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Who actually knows when he started asking the question?

Somewhere between teaching me to ride a motorcycle (age 5) and helping him bleed the breaks in the garage (ever since I can remember). My dad would say “you’re not a wimp, right?” followed shortly with a chorus of “do not do a half-assed job.” Anything that required what at the time was considered “male strength” my dad would push my sister and I towards our best and not quitting.

I never thought much about it growing up. It was just parenting rhetoric which went along with phrases such as “because I said so” and “turn down the radio”, etc.

But as I became an adult, I realized this phrase and attitude were actually a blessing: a beautiful way of raising very strong women to the occasional chagrin of our husbands.

I am not afraid to go to Downtown LA, carry my own skis, and stand up to any man across the board room. Sure I love the valet but I also know how to put air in my tire, check the oil, and use a crescent wrench.

My dad kept me from the irrational fear that plagues much of my extended family. He modeled to me what our Father in heaven says to often, “Try dear one, I am here and you can do it! I will be here if you fall but try and try again!”

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Again, I say “hit it” to the driver. This time I feel the weight of the rope about to slip away and realize I have to do something. I have to push my feet on to the ski to balance the weight pulling from the boat.

I grab hard to the rope. I push with all of my strength through my feet. I use the only abdominal muscle I have and I lift up onto the water. The ski glides. I am water skiing! It is heaven! I can do this!

I am not a wimp!