The Steps to Nowhere

“Where does it go?” David asked.

We stood at the bottom of a wooden staircase that ascended out of sight into the woods on Mackinac Island.

“I don’t know, ” I answered looking away and trying to seem disinterested as possible, hoping to discourage what was coming next.

“C’mon. Let’s see.”

I honestly didn’t know where the steps lead, but my experience with those sorts of staircases was that they’re long and exhausting. It’s not supposed to be almost 90 degrees on Mackinac Island in late August, but as luck would have it we picked an unseasonably warm day to visit. I really did not want to haul myself up those steps in the heat when we’d already walked around for hours.

“Let’s go get something to eat, ” I counter-offered.

“Please? I want to see what’s up there,” David pleaded. A staircase to nowhere is exactly the kind of thing a seven year-old boy wants to explore.

Wade said, “Me too,” and instead of waiting like David, he just started up the steps.

“Mom! C’mon,” David said again.

“Fine,” I sighed. We were on vacation. We were supposed to have fun. So we embarked on our little adventure.

The boys effortlessly ran up the steps laughing the whole time. I kept asking them to slow down and wait for me. I didn’t think to count the steps, but there were a lot and they were steep.

Finally, we came to the end. We were at the top of the island looking out over a spectacular view of the town, harbor and lake.

“Cool!” David exclaimed. He and Wade, conquering heroes, were all smiles as they stood at the top of the stairs. It was as if they were the first humans ever to set foot on this part of the island.

I was hot, sweaty and out of breath, but the view was worth the climb. Better yet, the three of us shared this little adventure together. A big adventure to these little boys.

I wanted to say, “No,” for no reason other than I didn’t want to climb those stairs. We weren’t out of time. It wasn’t dangerous. I’m glad I chose to say, “Yes,” instead.

As adults we have our own agendas. Our curiosities don’t get the best of us. We’d rather stay on the ground, because we’ve been to the top already. But sometimes we need to say, “Yes,” anyway, so our kids can have their adventures, big and small.

I started making an effort to embrace more of those opportunities recently. However reluctant I am at the start, the view at the end is always worth it.