What’s the worst that can happen?

Last night as I was getting out of the car after coming home from the grocery store, Number 3 came running out of the house to greet me.

“Mommy! Are you excited for your marathon?” he asked.

“Well, I’m actually pretty nervous,” I told him.

I wanted to be honest.

Because he is my anxious kid, I also want him to know that even grown ups get nervous sometimes.

But I also wanted to show him that even though I might be a little afraid (or maybe completely terrified), it’s not going to stop me.

We have these talks frequently.

We just had one recently, actually, when Number 3 was having a slight freak out on the opening night of Aladdin, in which he had the starring role.

And then he said to me,

“Why are you nervous? What’s the worst that can happen?”

WOW!

He’s really been listening!

And he’s starting to get it!

“You’re right! What is the worst that can happen?” I answered. Somewhat rhetorically.

“Well, you could trip on a stick, and fall on your face, and get a concussion,” he said.

“And die.”

Huh.

And I was thinking that coming in dead last would be bad.

I guess coming in plain old dead would definitely be much worse.

Here’s to making it through tomorrow without tripping on any sticks.

And just to be on the safe side, I think I’ll get my pre-race pep talk from Number 4 and 5.