I love living in a neighborhood where children play outside. It brings back happy memories of times I rode my bike, my hair flying in the wind.
I remember playing games we just made up. I remember being endlessly fascinated with sticks or rocks.
I remember when falling was only a temporary setback. I was assured I was ok. I was reassured that people who loved me were watching and would move in quickly if needed.
I remember a time when it was ok to act silly because we really didn’t know the definition of the word. We were just having fun.
I remember a time when I thought skinned knees were the worst thing that could happen to a person. I had no knowledge of greater pain.
I trusted people. I thought most people were good. Evil was a foreign concept.
I gave little thought to the future except to count off the days until Christmas would be there. I lived in the wonderful time where it was always today … a time of new discoveries waiting.
When I watch children play or hear their take on life, it is a joy. I would tell them, “Enjoy these precious moments before the world intrudes.” But I don’t have to do that because they are already!
The question for us adults is … are we receiving all The Joy available for us?
