Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Oops (01/14/10)
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TITLE: Life is Like a Bobcat Ride | Previous Challenge Entry
By Karen Macor
01/21/10 -
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Just the thought of it starts the adrenalin running. The exhilaration of mastering what had once defeated me rushes through my body. It is a bigger thrill than that experienced on the largest, fastest, loopiest roller coaster ride you can imagine. I have conquered and I am proud.
The highlights flash through my mind as if I am actually reliving it.
“Come on Vic. Let me use the bobcat and you can do the shoveling.”
“No, you don’t know how to run it. It’s not as easy as it looks.”
“It can’t be any harder than all this shoveling I’m doing,” I whined.
“You’ll be sorry.”
“No I won’t. Besides we agreed to build this house together. I need to learn how to do some of these things.”
“Okay get over here, and sit in there.” Vic motioned to the cab of the bobcat.
The instructions were simple, and my first attempts were impressive. My husband gave me that coveted wave of approval as he strode off to work on another part of the house. Fully pumped up with adrenalin at being master of this machine, I soon began backfilling faster and closer to the ditch. I felt so powerful moving the large rocks that I hadn’t been able to budge with just my hands. Oops!
“Vic! Vic! Vic!” I screamed at the top of my lungs.
He didn’t hear me, and in my panic I forgot the one warning he had tried to impress on my naïve mind. He had said “Whatever you do don’t pull back on the controls if you get into trouble. Let go of everything.” I was now bucket down in the ditch, rear end up to the sky. I was dangling in the air, and the only thing preventing me from hitting the windshield was the safety belt. I was hovering over the earth staring into the ditch. I was also holding on for dear life to the controls and pulling backwards trying to get myself out of the hole. Vic didn’t hear my screams, but he did see me spinning hopelessly around in all directions, totally panicked. To my credit, before he got to me I had retrieved the forgotten warning from my memory, and had let go of the controls.
“Settle down. You’re okay. Just sit there, don’t do anything.”
“Get me out of here,” I half screamed and half cried.
“Take it easy. It’s not as bad as it looks.”
“That’s easy for you to say. Get me out of here!”
It was easy to get out, and there was no damage to myself or the bobcat. However, I was furious. The bobcat had gotten the better of me. I was shaking, and scared. Vic insisted on a coffee break. He knew I would try again. When I did I was a lot wiser, far more cautious, and quick to acknowledge that I was not as powerful as I had thought I was. I had been brought down a notch. At the end of the day I had completed the backfilling without another mishap. I was triumphant.
Reflecting on it now I get goose bumps. The adrenaline rush most definitely came from the bobcat ride, but the biggest charge came when I realized God was speaking to me. The bobcat represented the obstacles we face in our lives. Letting go of the controls, and surrendering my “super woman attitude” to caution and wisdom, was a reminder to trust in God. It was a tough time for us and I was constantly saying “Why, God, Why?”
God had finally replied “So you can experience the thrill of conquering the challenge.”
Life can be like a bobcat ride – exciting, unpredictable and fun.
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This story was action-packed and gripping, with just the right touch of humor.