A funny Story

Over Christmas break, my punkin and I went to the Pirate Dinner Adventure in Orlando. It’s so. much. FUN! It’s our second time and we absolutely love any and all dinner shows.

Before this one starts, our pirate asks for a female volunteer. A few raise their hands, he looks around, I put my hand up, he picks me. Cool, I’m always up for some fun.

I run down to talk to him and he explains that during the game portion of the show, I’m to come down and be a part of the third game. It’s my job to throw little treasure bags UP to him while he’s on top of one of the masts. He will then swing to the middle of the ship, toss it in the net, then come back for another treasure bag. The first pirate to get five treasure bags will win that round of the games.

“Can you do that?” He asks. I’m somewhat regretting what I’ve gotten myself into because I do not have the greatest of aim. But I reply with, “I’ll do my best!” It’s all in fun, right?

Now, ya’all do know I have anxiety right? Just checking.

So the show starts and it’s wonderfully entertaining and then the games begin and it’s my turn to be in front of the audience doing my part to help our pirate win. I grab two bags and toss one underhanded up to the pirate. Perfect shot. He grabs it, swings to the middle and tosses it into the net, swings back.

I’m already ready with the next bag. Boom! Another perfect throw. I’m feeling good, although my heart is pounding from the excitement of it.

Antonio, our pirate, is back for the third one. YES! Another great throw and he’s off to drop it into the net. Fourth throw.. well… it didn’t quite make it to him. No big deal… Not every throw is going to be perfect.

Next throw doesn’t quite make it either. I’m starting to sweat a bit. Everyone is watching. And even though it’s just a show, I don’t want to let everyone down. I can feel the anxiety rising. Deep breath, aim, throw the next one.

It swings so wide, so wild, it lands in the pitcher of pepsi of the front row of people on my team, splashing everyone. Their faces, in shock, are dripping with soda and with wide eyes, I can only apologize as I frantically try to figure out how I am going to survive the next few minutes.

I now have to run and grab the bags that have been wildly thrown because I’m out. I grab some. Throw another and by now I am so frazzled they are going no where near my pirate.

I have never been so happy to hear the end of game announced.

I run to the front row and apologize for soaking them.

I then run back to my seat and drop my head in my hands.

Then.

I laugh.

Life is fun, friends. We cannot take it too seriously.

There was a time in my life when I never would have even volunteered to go up front.

There was a time when maybe I would have volunteered but then backed out when I realized what I had to do.

And there was a time when I would have been humiliated over failing at the task and beaten myself up over it… even though it was just for fun.

And now, well, I just laugh.

It was funny.

The faces of the front row. I mean, I did feel bad, but when I picture it, I still laugh.

Anyway, my point today was just a smile and a reminder not to take life too seriously. Laugh at the silly things. We all make mistakes. It’s ok to not be perfect. It’s ok to look silly. It’s ok to laugh about it.

In fact, it’s a lot more fun to just laugh about it and move on.

Happy Hump Day, friends!