Billy Coffey
Billy Coffey

The fear of letting go

August 9, 2010  

image courtesy of photobucket.com

image courtesy of photobucket.com

The wails were coming from near the concession stand on the other end of the parking lot where I had noticed a church group was selling hot dogs and offering to wash cars. We all turned in the general direction and wondered what had caused the commotion.

None of us saw anything until my son pointed into the sky and said, “Look!”

We did, but there seemed to be nothing but blue sky and sunshine. But then I squinted and saw it. High above us, dancing with a hawk.

A balloon.

My daughter took the opportunity to offer her usual take of part philosophy and part practicality: “You gotta hang on to stuff,” she said. “If you don’t, it’ll just float away.”

Point taken.

My family finished shopping, winding into one store and out another, until we had each crossed our necessities off our respective lists. The end brought us to the concession stand. Hot dogs and a car wash were offered, but only the hot dogs were accepted. “I wash my own cars,” I told the nice lady. She didn’t understand. Guy thing.

“You two want a balloon?” I asked the kids. Which was a stupid question, really. What kid doesn’t want a balloon? I’m thirty-eight years old, and I wanted one…

To read the rest of this post, hop on over to katdish’s site. And please, don’t be afraid of the balloons in your life…

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Comments

  • http://splittergewitter.blogspot.com Claudia

    just left this comment on katdish’s site as well… lovely idea

    so true – sometimes we rather stay safe…
    i’m just about to let go a “balloon” – it’s my 19 year old daughter who will leave next monday to spend a year abroad…and it’s not easy to let go – but i’m so thankful for the time i was allowed to hold her and now it’s time to fly…
    thanks for this nice analogy on life…
    claudia

  • Katdish

    Loved this one, Billy. Sometimes we need to loosen our grip on some of the balloons in order to hold on tightly to the ones that truly matter.

  • http://www.hannahkaty.com Hannah Katy

    Some days I feel though I am stumbling around the internet aimlessly, looking for links to click upon. But I am thankful to have found this one today. Thank you fleshing out the concept of letting go in such a unique and thought-provoking manner. I think I tend to play it safe too often when I should be learning to take more risks in my life.. But I love the comment made about needing to hold onto things or else they will float away.. Nothing could be closer to the truth than that.

    Best,

    Hannah Katy

  • http://topsy.com/www.billycoffey.com/2010/08/the-fear-of-letting-go/?utm_source=pingback&utm_campaign=L2 Tweets that mention The fear of letting go : Billy Coffey — Topsy.com

    [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Billy Coffey and marni71, Heather Sunseri. Heather Sunseri said: RT @billycoffey: Guest posting for @katdish: The fear of letting go ~ http://bit.ly/cqirrs [...]

  • http://godsheart-heart2heart.blogspot.com Kat

    Billy,

    I was hoping the story ended with you taking a balloon at least. If not for making silly voices from the helium or possibly sending off messages in the great beyond, a balloon is a great way to escape at least for the moment. Great post again as always.

    Love and Hugs ~ Kat

  • http://angiemizzell.com Angie Mizzell

    I thought the balloon you saw in the sky may have been the one my son released last week in the grocery store parking lot. We were wondering where it ended up. :)

    I was surprised… he actually wanted to let it go.

    ps– I enjoyed the continuation on Katdish’s site

  • http://www.ordinarilyextraordinary.com/ Amy Nabors

    So very true in many respects. I have feared failure in so many experiences or aspects of my life that I never tried. As I have grown I realize the importance of both holding onto things as well as taking the risks. Thank you so much for sharing.

  • http://www.randommusings-helen.blogspot.com Helen

    I do the same thing. I HAVE been doing the same thing over a very important issue. Good post. I’d say great, but it hit a little too close to home…