We took the kids on a hike. A bit more than 2 miles round trip. We posed in front of a lovely waterfall.

Ava and Wes played in the water, tossed stones, and enjoyed watching the early leaves fall from the trees high above.

Tay found a walking stick and climbed about before settling on a huge rock to rest.

Us girls took a selfie while the boys climbed up for a higher view.

This is what happens when I ask Ava to smile.

And when she decides to listen….

It was all going swimmingly, sure Wes complained a little about his tired legs and painting rocks when we get home. Liv and Tay were bored at the falls, and Ava wasn’t pleased that Taylor wouldn’t let her use his stick, but mostly everyone was pleasant. Jon and I even enjoyed several minutes of us simply being in a calm place where the kids were coexisting peacefully.

Obviously this couldn’t last. All the way back to the car Wes complained about being hungry and tired and how he couldn’t carry his rocks. Right up to the point when his foot slipped and he fell feet first off the edge of cliff.

He had been bending over to pick up sones and shoving them in his pockets. I knew he wasn’t being very careful, and just a few seconds before he slipped I had a feeling that I should be close to him. I actually had a thought of him slipping and a flash of what I would do. Then suddenly there I was screaming for Jon as I clung on to him. He was scared and shocked and understandably upset. All the rest of the way back Jon held his hand as we reassured him that everything was okay.

But it’s really not okay. In a moment of pure panic I saved my child from falling 20-30 feet down a rocky cliff. The what if’s are in my head big time. It reminds me how fragile life is and how easily this great adventure might have become my worst nightmare.

Maybe I should resolve never to have any more “dangerous” adventures, but I don’t think that is the best thing for any of us. Discovery is a huge part of life, and living involves an inherent amount of danger, right?

Still, Mother Nature, RESPECT! My heart is still pounding!