Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.
~John Wayne

“We’re going where!” It was more of an exclamation than a question. “We’re going to do what?” Now that was a real question, because I wasn’t sure I had heard right.

And so my daughter repeated it. “We’re taking you to Colorado to celebrate your eightieth birthday. And we’re all going on a hot-air-balloon ride.”

I almost started hyperventilating; my thoughts were spinning. I took a moment to let it sink in. “A hot-air-balloon ride?”

“Mom, don’t you want to go? I remember you wanting to on your fiftieth birthday. And I want to help you fulfill your bucket list.”

“Honey, eighty is a long way from fifty.”

“You’re not afraid, are you?”

I didn’t want to admit it, but that was the reason I hadn’t gone decades ago.

She continued excitedly, “We’ve got a lodge reserved for your birthday week in July.”

Now I was backed in a corner. “Who’s the ‘we’?”

“It’s going to be all girls: me, your three daughters-in-law, and your six granddaughters. I’ve contacted each of them, and they’re all in.”

My mind was whirling. My three daughters-in-law! One was local, one in Tennessee, and another in Hawaii.

And my granddaughters — they were scattered even farther, in Arkansas, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Illinois, and far away Australia.

“Did you say all?”

“Yes, all.”

The tickets were purchased. The flights were scheduled. The lodge was booked.

To allay any fears, she sent me a link to watch a reporter taking her first ride with the company. I watched as they checked the wind, explained how the balloon was prepared, and finally her experience on the liftoff.

I can do this, I thought. It was time to start making my to-do list:

Pray
Mani/pedi
Lose weight
Pray

— Phyllis Nordstrom —