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I am Joe Plumber. Although I have always wanted to learn how to water ski, I never had the time. The thought first crossed my mind when we bought our house on the lake. My wife loved seeing the lake from the patio. The moon hitting the waves in the ghostly season of fall is the most magnificent view. My wife wanted the beautiful view, the kids wanted to ride their dirt bikes on the beach in the summer time and just wanted the house for the lake. I bought the skis as soon as that thought crossed my mind. It never really occurred to me that water skiing could be quite dangerous. I mean after all, I had never learned to ski and actually trying to learn had scared me since I was kid. Now I'm a lot older and I feel more adventurous towards life. So just the other day, I bought a pair of water skis at the local surf shop. I took my son Adrienne with me and I think he might have been a little interested in trying them out himself, so we did just that. Upon returning home, I took out my recently bought motor boat. Although I had bought it in the fall of last year, the lake was too cold to use it. Now that it was spring, I finally got a chance to start my boat that had barely been used. I was looking forward to this day for several months and I was glad that Adrianne was going to enjoy it with me. In the warm air and perfect wind, I said to myself "It is a perfect day for water skiing". The port was loaded with safety equipment and I tied the rope around myself. My son started the motor. I was pulled into the water before I even got my skis on. I was screaming at him hysterically to stop the boat. Deep down, I realized that I proved my child's fear of skiing to be true. After being buried for so long deep in my psyche, the thought had finally surfaced. I had two choices: face my fear or back down from the adventure I had been looking forward to. My answered lied in my son's laughter when he pulled the boat up to the shore. As he laughed at his old man, I said to myself "Oh, you think that's funny". I promised to myself that I would never look like a coward in front of my son since the day he was born, and that was the best day to prove it. I told my son that we would try again. He asked me whether I was sure, since I almost died earlier. I told him that I really was sure and asked him to tie the rope to the boat again. This time, I put on my skis properly before taking the rope. Adrienne started the motor. There I was, with my slalom water skiing equipment. As I was fastening the helmet, I knew I was ready this time. The waves hit the water in the militant fashion. I asked myself to give it all I have, because I wanted to compensate for the fear that I still had. I knew this was my destiny. When I was in the water about half way, the fear subsided. I felt free and forgot all my worries. At that moment, I knew I was in love with water skiing. It was a thrill to ride, as I screamed as loudly as I could "I am the king of the lake, that's right, king of the lake". I was also happy to see my son turn around and see that I was no longer scared. My wife watched me from the shore smiling. Although I knew she couldn't hear me, I yelled for her to come and try it. I felt alive for the first time in a long time. My son asked me if he could have a turn, since I seemed to be having so much fun. We decided to take turns and I could see joy in his eyes. I felt closer to my son than ever before. Since that time, I always see a part of myself in my son. It is now a lot easier to face my fears and I know that this is a very special bond. Looking back on this experience, I now know my reasons for being scared. I was afraid that if I showed my fear to my son, he would be afraid to try in life. This experience taught me that one should never be scared to try. It is not about fear, but rather about overcoming the fear of slalom water skiing. I learned how to face my fears and who knows, I might do it again tomorrow.
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