New Ground at the Zoo.

What most people would see in this photo is three children obviously enjoying their day at the zoo while having the opportunity to ride a camel. What this mother sees is different. I see my four year old son doing something he never did before. No big deal, right? Well, this is a boy who never jumps right in to the unknown. He is always very cautious of new ground and sits back from afar watching, surveying what the outcome may be. Usually, he makes the assumption that it will be bad for he rarely tries anything new. But today. Today, with apprehension showing in his eyes and one appeal for Mommy to ride with him, he decided to do it - to take on a new adventure. The same thing was turned down a year ago. On this day, he clearly felt braver and climbed up the steps to the camel without his mother. He let a stranger pick him up and put him on the camel’s back. Mommy was swelling with pride. For once, I didn’t have to push or persuade. He made the choice to try the unknown. And look at that smile! Who knows? Maybe he’ll ride the horses this year at the feed store.