Once again I am struck by the simple JOY of
childhood. My little girl, in pink duckie pyjamas, is dancing with her
brother, in his new Batman shirt, to "Life Could be a Dream".
They are
twirling and spinning around the dining room, bacon greasy
on their lips, chairs left askew in their haste to bop to the beat.
The laughter and giggles of this morning, the awkward grace of little
bodies dancing, is destined to become one of the best memories of this
season of my life. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9G0-4TWwew
There
is a simple pleasure in watching your children play when they don't
know you are there. Just stopped by my son's school during first break
and peered through the fence at him for a few minutes (a staff member
actually came over to find out who the weird stalker mom was...very
politely, mind you).
It was sunny, with a fresh breeze and he was running with abandon along with two other boys. They
raced in big circles around the grass, arms wide, heads thrown back,
big goofy boy grins on their faces...kings of their little world, filled
with joy and innocence and the pleasure in moving your body that comes
with youth and energy.
It took me back almost 40 years. I
remember when my own body was that strong, when movement didn't require
thought or effort, when my feet seemed to fly as I ran. I envy my son
these days of childhood. And I take seriously my responsibility to
protect them for him, to make sure he doesn't grow up too fast, to guard
his innocence and joy as long as I possibly can. I pray that Eden does
not fade too soon for you, my darling children.
