Because Chelsea and Sacha both are home for a long weekend, they decided to go canyoning, which sounded like canoeing to me, well the way French Husband said canyoning that is. French Husband begged me to go, "...you will have fun, you will be with us, I will watch out for you, it is not hard, ten years olds do it..."
But I am not so stupid after 27 years of being married to this Frenchman I have learned the hard way that his easy means, "Scary as $é!§è"é§(&#à" for me.
The three of them left this morning for the Gorge de Verdon, a stunningly beautiful canyon less than two hours from our home. Right before they left French Husband pleaded, "Come on Corey, you can take pictures, you will be with us, I will watch out for you, ten year olds do it... there are only a few ropes and you will have a helmet and a wet suit..."
"ROPES...?" I asked, "Why does one need a rope to go canoeing?"
But when I said canoeing French Husband heard canyoning.
He shrugged, "You should come, and be with us."
I felt guilty. I wished my fear did not control my decision. I thought to myself, "I can take emotional risks, but not physical ones."
They happily went without me.
I went to church and prayed in the calm silent womb, the safe place I feel when I am there. I prayed for their safety, with the word rope coming in between my Hail Marys and Our Fathers.
Why ropes?
Early afternoon Chelsea called to reassure me that they were fine.
I could tell they were in hog heaven of over abundant glory. I asked, "Did you take any photos?" Chelsea laughed, "Mom, how could I?"
I was utterly confused, "Couldn't you stop rowing to take one souvenir photo?"
"Rowing" she laughed then clarified, in her perfect accent, "Mom we went canyoning not canoeing."
"Could I have done it?"
"Oh God no! We all agreed, that you would have HATED every single second of it."
in which I replied, "Thank God," and under my breath, "I am so gonna bop you dad."
Photos from the professional organization to come.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canyoning
photos via: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canyoning
