Forget darkness. Forget subzero temperatures. After an extra long Thanksgiving weekend stuck inside the house, this little guy was determined to play out. The wind was cooperating, so his mom switched on the spotlight in front of their house and out he raced, Tonka in tow.
I watched him drop the enormous truck and begin pushing from behind through the fresh, flawless snow...all the while sputtering those highly developed motor noises that small boys (okay, all boys) instinctively know how to make.
I watched with admiration as he played...and played...and played.
He didn't mind that he was alone. He didn't mind that his face was cold. He didn't mind that perpetual runny nose. Heck, that's what sleeves are for. He was playing...playing. And nothing else seemed to matter.
I think I could learn a thing or two from this kid! And I'm not just talking about sound effects. How often, in the avoidance of childishness, do I end up quelling childlikeness?
I have to wonder.
In the midst of the sometimes harried, organized chaos of my life, I spend a lot of time focusing on the details of being responsible.
And that's not bad.
But, the unfettered, ingenuous grace of this four-year-old reminds me...there are qualities my heart once possessed that need reclaiming.
8 comments:
How fine is that? Thanks for putting it so well.
I think that top photo is an award winner. It's excellent.
Hey, FC. It's great to hear from you! I haven't quite mastered night-time photography...never sure when to use the flash and when to take a chance. Thanks very much for your kind comments.
:) I try every day to make sure I hold onto the child-like-ness. Beautiful, eloquent capturing of that spirit! Thank you!
Hey, Bryan! Thank you for stopping by and leaving such a sweet message. I LIKE to think I hold onto childlikeness, but sometimes it becomes abundantly apparent that I've allowed the rush and bustle of life choke it out. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Hey, Kimberlee. Great reminders of truths too easy to not live. And yes, that top photo is terribly well done!
Thanks very much, Steve. And it's great to hear from you!
My kids site weather below 40F as grounds for staying inside. I may not have gone uphill in waist-high snowdrifts to and from school growing up, but now I have this blog post. Thank you.
Hi, Peter. Thanks for stopping by. I have to say, I never envisioned this post being used in quite that way, but I'm perfectly happy to help. Ha! The version we always heard growing up involved trudging through snow uphill both ways...and something about bare feet. :)
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