Houston...

Last winter, the neighbours told me that they hoped that I didn't mind, but when they went on their roof to clear autumn leaves, check the vents etc., they also checked my roof. 

Fast forward through several seasons, a prolonged hospital stay and a dodgy hip, and I am asked if I will do the honours this year due to daughter being afraid of heights.  No problem, I reply, I'm not afraid of heights, one good deed etc.

This weekend, the time had come, I pulled on my scruff and climbed the ladder, one of those that gets narrower near the top.  I climbed up no problem, reached the roof and did my stuff, clearing out drains, sweeping up leaves and shovelling dirt into a big bucket.

Twenty minutes later and I was done.  Houston, we have a problem.  Have you seen people on television who are 'frozen' on a roof?  I confess that I had a moment.  I had a total freak out in my head and I can totally understand how someone can lose the ability to put one foot in front of the other.  I was staring at the ladder, standing on the roof and I literally did not know how to... 'dismount'.

Logistically, it seemed pretty impossible, how the heck was I going to get off the roof and onto the ladder?  I had a couple of minutes montage in my head of pure panic.  I envisioned other neighbours being summoned, the fire brigade, the local newspaper.  It was fear of embarrassment which overpowered fear of getting on to the ladder in the end.

I gently knelt on the edge of the roof with the drop behind me, feet hanging off, dangling in the wind, then, I gingerly felt for the narrow ladder to my left.  My arms and legs shook, but I made it down the ladder without incident.

Same time next year?  I asked as I dismounted, trying to wipe away any tinge of fear.  I really could have done with a panel of judges holding up 10's at this point.

A few hours later and neighbour arrived with a bunch of flowers, lovely thought, totally unnecessary.  And you know what?  The next time I'm petrified on a roof, I know that I can put one foot in front of the other and make it safely to earth.