Letting go....

My knuckles turn pale as I grip the arm rest a little too tightly
I try to relax but I can’t
I stare at the lady in the blue dress as she pulls the mask over her face
And explains how Oxygen will flow
“In the event of an emergency” she says
All I can hear is my thumping heart as fear and trepidation set in
Because, yes, I’m about to fly again.

I take a deep breath and a still small voice whispers “let go”
“I wish I could”, I whispered in return
My heart keeps beating at the crazy rapid speed
That’s now the norm every time I see those wings
“Let go”, I hear again
“Oh, that’s easy for you to say”, I almost yell back
Fear gets me really mad too.

The taxiing begins, the “calm before the storm” I call it
I take a look around, everyone else looks so calm
I close my eyes but all I can see is an aircraft nose-diving into the earth
“Aargh!!” I yell on the inside as my eyes pop back open
“Let go” the voice is a little louder this time
Oh Lord, I really do want to
I keep praying and then I realize –my knuckles are rested in my lap because I’ve Let go!

We’re flying now.