Like a path over water...with sharks below

Sometimes raising children feels like you're walking on rocks across the water, balancing precariously, watching the steps coming up, remembering the steps behind and watching where your foot falls, all at once. The adventure begins at once and suddenly you find yourself out over water.

Every once in a while, you feel a bit like there might be a shark below. (yes, I know, it's just a goldfish. Give me a little wiggle-room for poetic license. )

Sometimes, you just want to stop and stay on your rock, not move forward one inch.

But when you do, you feel the exhilaration and awe at watching your child's next step into something big.