AND THE WATER CLIMBED HER LEGS UNTIL SHE GAVE BIRTH TO WAVES
AND THE WATER CLIMBED HER LEGS UNTIL SHE GAVE BIRTH TO WAVES
A woman alone at home walks through her kitchen in the late
morning. Every time she walks past the closet next to the sink, she
shudders. She is afraid.
She is afraid she will not be able to pass the closet without opening
the door, reaching up behind the flour and sugar sacks and grabbing
frantically for the well-hidden bottle of vodka.
In this moment, no one else will know if she takes a drink. But she
knows too well that she will know. And she shudders at the prospect
of that sadness.
She has purposely not moved the bottle since she made a vow not to
take another drink. She knows she is living as an alcoholic. She does
not want to die an alcoholic. She does not want that for her legacy.
She shuts her eyes and sees herself again as a young woman. She
is standing at the ocean’s edge. She lifts her skirt and walks out into
the water. She feels the water climb her legs until she gives birth to
waves, of courage.
She continues past the closet. She doesn’t reach for the bottle. She
has found the courage without anyone else around to witness her
courage. She smiles now in self-testimony to her bravery.
All true heroism happens on a private stage. All fear and courage is a
matter between our lesser and our better self.
Our fears only have the power we give them.
In each of us is a place where we are better than our fears.
Fears and courage are tidal waves that wash in and out of all our
lives.
- Noah benShea
Copyright 2019
Noah benShea is available for speaking engagements, corporate events, and conferences in the U.S and internationally. Please contact: [email protected]