There's dirt in every crack here. It's gritty and gross and the kind of retro that isn't remotely fashionable. Kids don't care. They strap on shoes that have slipped across this floor since 1979 and they grab those old scarred balls and do their very best to keep it out of the gutter. I'm worried about fleas in the carpet and they're worried about getting a second piece of birthday cake.
I never get to see her like this. At home it's all wrestling and rough-housing and 'Liiiii-um, stop it!'
She's a girl here. Here in the grit. She's got sunshine in her cheeks and all her little friends squeal and laugh and run around the tables and the old disco ball paints the wall with shadows of Studio 54 but all they see is fairy lights and all they want to do is dance.All these five and six year old girls, dizzy with sugar and fun and sparkly eyes and I watch her spread her arms out wide and dip her head back so her hair brushes the top of her skirt and she spins and spins and dances her way into a giggle fit that bubbles up rich in my heart.
I want to watch her forever.
Every few minutes she checks to see if I'm looking, to see if I've seen the way she just twirled like a perfectly tuned ballerina, and I wiggle my fingers at her and she grins so wide her eyes are lost in her flushed cheeks.
Can I catch it? Just this moment? This euphoric letting loose and not a care in the world and where joy is found as easily in a filthy bowling alley as in a pristine park? Because I want it. I want to bottle it and drink it and find myself as easily caught in the freedom of being a child.
Because that is truly living. That is the joy for which she is named. This is how she teaches me to embrace each precious moment and I pray that she never ever loses the piece and peace that makes her open to delight in a dusty bowling alley.
One day as we passed each other picking up our kids, your beautiful daughter caught my eye with the smile in those twinkling, sparkling eyes. She is a delightful drop of sunshine.
ReplyDeleteAw thanks, Michelle! She really, really is (and I'm not just saying that) ;)
DeleteSooooooo precious. Noa is lucky to have a mother who loves her so dearly!!
ReplyDeleteat some point she'll probably find it annoying...but for now, she eats it up!
DeleteWhat a lovely post! I love the reminder to recognize and cherish those little child moments of pure bliss.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rebecca. It's so easy to rush through and not take notice...those special times when we do are a true gift
DeleteI love your blog slogan. You write beautifully! So glad you commented so I could find you. Your daughter is beautiful. I miss those days. My daughter is 10 already!
ReplyDeleteThanks Melanie! It all rushes by so fast. My oldest son is 12 and not the sweet darling little boy he used to be...of course, they become wonderful for other reasons but there's nothing quite like the sweetness of innocence!
DeleteThis is a beautiful post and I love your writing style! It's so important that we cherish the time we have with them now, because oh-so-soon they grow up.
ReplyDeleteI know...every few days I beg at least one of them to 'just stop right there - don't grow a second more!' I know new ages will bring new stories and wonderful things but ACK! I just want to hang on!!!!
DeleteWhat a day. I know how hard it is sometimes to remember they are a gift that picture captures her beauty and wonderfulness perfectly. Thank you for sharing her with us for a brief moment.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tamara!
DeleteLooks like a great time. My children love to go roller skating! Visiting from BYB...
ReplyDeleteYes, we've found a new family activity - I'm sure we'll go back again and again!
DeleteWhat a beautiful account of your daughter in a moment. Those are precious times, cheers to catching as many as you can. I loved teaching preschool as it taught me to enjoy the simple things that as adults we forget to pay attention to but are in fact the best things in life, and to really get lost in the moment. First sunny days after a cold spell, swinging as high as you can, a good bowl of goop to name a few. Here's to capturing more magical moments for you and Noa!
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks! It's easy to forget to look for moments like this - life is busy, the laundry is never done, dishes need to be washed, kids need to be washed ;) I'm trying very hard to look through all that for the little glimmers. I know a day will come when I'll be so glad I did! Thanks for stopping by and commenting :)
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