The Ladder

The ornaments on the Christmas tree have been put away for another year. The other holiday trinkets are also stored away. Jennifer was a whirlwind in getting these things down and packed away. That left my job, taking down the lights and garland off the front of the house. I mean we can't let the flashing icicle lights hang past New Year's Day without the neighbors rolling their eyes at us more than they do now. So, what it means to me is I have to utilize the ladder.

I'm not the most agile person in the world. I'm also not as small as I once was. The ladder then is always an adventure.

When I climb on to the ladder, I can't help but think about a number of things. Will this thing hold me? When I get up there will I get so carried away with my task that I forget where I am and lose my balance? Can I keep my natural clumsiness in check long enough to make sure each step I take is sure and safe? And then stories I've heard about folks who fell off a ladder or fell off their house and suffered horrible injuries spill out into my mind. So, utilizing the ladder sometimes can be a task that I have to talk myself into undertaking.

Today, the ladder excursion was rather painless. The ladder sunk a bit into the soft ground but held me while I unclipped the lights from the gutter. The lights came down without much hassle so there was little time to get carried away in other thoughts. My steps were sure and safe enough to get the job done. Before I knew it, I had hopped off the ladder and found myself putting the ladder away for another day.

Still, as 2009 begins, I couldn't help but think of the ladder as a metaphor for the new year. As the new year starts, I have to get on that ladder, in my relationships, in my job, in so many other things. As I get on that ladder, will the year be able to hold me? Will I get caught up in other things and lose my balance? Will I make sure my steps are safe and sure?

The answers to those questions won't be answered of course until I get the ladder out again, balance it out on the ground, breathe a long, deep breath and take one step at a time.

Happy New Year.