Superpower #16: Fearlessness

I was going to list this one as Adventurousness or Courage but looking back I have already found examples and written about these at length. I know being fearless, your 17^th superpower, is related to both, but I think there are subtle differences between those two superpowers and fearlessness. Neither Adventure nor Courage rule out the presence of fear. Indeed, I think I acknowledged your feelings of fear and trepidation in both of those posts. But sometimes, you have the superpower of total fearlessness. When you lean on that one, it is not that you power past any fright, but rather that you simply don’t have any. In so many circumstances, you are totally fearless.

In a few hours, you and your big sister Grace are heading out for your first solo sisters’ vacation. (It’s not totally complete since Lucy is staying behind to play in a volleyball tournament; though I have a feeling this will be the first of many). You plan to load up my van (the safest vehicle we have, and the one with a recent oil change) and drive yourselves out to Rocky Mountain National Park for a week of hiking and bonding. I am simultaneously so excited, so jealous, and slightly terrified for you. How can my baby girls be old enough to do something like this on their own? How can I let you blithely ride off into the literal sunset (you are leaving around 6 tonight and plan to drive straight west straight through the night) without a GROWN UP? I keep reminding myself that technically you are BOTH officially grown up. And at least one of you is completely fearless. 

And then I keep reminding myself of this important fact: this is exactly how I raised you to be.  This is precisely how I want you to live your life: fearless and fierce and eager for experiences and adventure. You are both strong and you, for one, are completely unafraid.

I have to admit, that there is a small part of me that is looking forward to your experience of solo travel simply for the tactical, administrative, fussy irritations of it. For the first time in your life, these frustrations will be entirely yours to handle. I think you may look back at some of our family trips and realize that all the little nuisances I couldn’t completely anticipate or alleviate are not just irritating but virtually inevitable. I think you may appreciate “vacation mom mode” a little more after doing this alone. If you don’t plan for yourself, there will be no one to hand you a tissue, or a snack, or a Band-Aid. This will all be on the two of you. Having no fear isn’t the kind of superpower that warms you up on a dawn mountaintop when you forgot to bring a sweatshirt.

I also know that some of your fearlessness is your utter lack of forethought. You haven’t even packed, much less worried about planning for surprises. I would worry more on your behalf, but I know Grace has. She drove me crazy last night running down headlamps and bear spray (bear spray!) and extra batteries and sunscreen. She has peeked around a few corners. Combining that with your confidence in decision making and talking to strangers as well as your deeply ingrained capableness make me sure this will be both the adventure of a lifetime and a wonderful experience on your road to adulthood. Your fearlessness and good sense, combined with Grace’s caution and maturity make you exceptional travel partners. This will be epic. Your superpowers (adventure, confidence, fearlessness, joy) will ensure it is so. 

Some of your fearlessness is your confidence in your strength and your skills, and this is not unfounded confidence. You are adaptable and smart. We have traveled together extensively in the service of your basketball career over the last several years, so I know you have developed the skills to respond to unplanned travel experiences. This will be the first time you and Grace have to handle it totally independently, however, so I’m guessing there may be some surprises.

A sense of fearlessness in your quest for adventure will serve you exceptionally well, however. Take care of yourself, take care of your sister, and have an amazing time.  I’ve always loved Helen Keller’s quote, “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” Certainly, you are on the path to a life of daring adventure, and I can’t say I’m surprised. It’s what I raised you to be.

Update: You arrived safely and sent us these photos from the road! Ride on, fearless girls!