Pine needles pricked my back, my face.
My hands were sticky from tree sap.
My toes tingled as I crouched down as far as I could.
I tried to steady my breathing so I could hear any approaching footsteps.
I blinked.
Darkness surrounded me.
Off in the distance I heard a faint warning.
"Ready or not, here I come!"
I smiled. He'd never find me.
Remember those days?
Summer nights under the stars,
we giggled and talked in loud whispers.
"No, not there. He'll find you!"
"Over here! Come on, hurry!"
"Shhhh."
I lived in a neighborhood filled with kids.
After we all had supper, we'd gather in my yard, or in the middle of the street (back then, there were only a few houses past where I lived, and the paved street ended at the last house, so hardly anyone drove down the street.)
We played kick the can, or hide-n-seek.
We'd start at dusk, then the street lights would go on.
There was something about playing at night under the street lights.
There was enough light to see, yet it was dark enough to imagine we were brave.
The nights were cool. It was great being a kid.
Not a care in the world.
Enjoying the moment.
Enjoying life.
The other night my husband and I watched "The Middle" on TV. The mom, Frankie Heck (Patricia Heaton) tried to encourage her family to enjoy the things she enjoyed as a girl - she ran through the sprinkler to show them how fun it could be. Of course, they didn't get it. They rolled their eyes.
But, she had fun.
That episode brought back memories.
I thought about that neighborhood, and all the fun we had.
It was a long time ago.
But,
she reminded me of me.
I decided a long time ago, I just wasn't going to grow up.
Ok, wait a minute.
I know I'm an adult and have been for a long time now.
I've been a responsible parent, and citizen.
I'm even Grandma age.
But!
No matter our age,
we can still have fun.
We can enjoy the little things.
Yes, that's what I'm talking about.
There is still a kid in all of us.
Do we ever let him/her out?
I hope so.
Early in the morning when Griz and I take a walk, I look at the brand new day as it approaches.
Sometimes the sun is a bright red ball that bounces up in the sky before my eyes.
I want to clap and and jump up and down like a child at my Father's ability to know how to make me smile.
Sometimes I watch birds with wide wingspans soar as the breeze carries them effortlessly, high above the trees.
It takes my breath away, and I ooh and aaah.
I love those times when I'm alone with my dog and my Father....He takes me by the hand and leads me, his child, and shows me things I may miss during a busy day.
I'm a child at heart.
You are too....or you can be.
Sing a song (I do that, too - listening to Pandora on my iphone...I just sing along. So, if you're out and about early in the morning and it looks like I'm talking to myself....I'm probably singing to the Beach Boys, some other oldies songs, or Keith Green.)
Have some fun today.
How about you let me know what brought a smile, a memory, a giggle to your day?
