“You’ve got to jump off cliffs all the time and build your wings on the way down.” Annie Dillard.

Before we stuff our faces on Thanksgiving my family and extended family gathers in a circle and tells a few things we’re thankful for from the previous year.

Among other things, I mentioned my youngest son’s choice this fall to go to a Jr. High where he wouldn’t know any kids. Long story why, but he wasn’t excited about leaving his tight group of sixth grade buds. Huge risk.

The happy ending is he’s thriving at his new school. The group he was part of has fallen apart and a number of his friends from last year have, uh, made some poor choices.

Risk is full of fear but it’s the only way to fly. (Yep, that’s my kid in the pic at right.)

Where have you flown this year that you’re most proud of?

Where will you fly in the year to come?

Tags: building wings on the way down, freedom, He Blogs She Blogs, Risk