A good dose of childhood innocence

I am discovering more and more that my children provide to me some of the best medicine in the world when it comes to repairing a heart that has been saddend with world tragedies and the daily trudges of life. And for once, it may not be such a bad thing to be a drug addict when your drug is your children. Here are just a few doses of good childhood innocence that I have taken this past week. Take two and call me in the morning.

Friday was Buddy Fun Day at Mom Junior's school. And since we live right across from the school, I got watch Mom Junior play a few games. Let me tell you that nothing is more pure than watching your child gleefully dip and swoosh into the air a giant bubble wand capable of producing tons of bubbles. Mom Junior jumped and twisted into the air as she swung her bubble wand around. She would then jump and try to pop the bubbles with her nose, tongue, or fingers all the while laughing and smiling with such innocence. It was like the brightest warmest sun breaking through dark storm clouds that have been around for days. For just a moment, my heart leapt with such delight as I watched my little one enjoy such bubbled bliss and joy. There was nothing manufacturered or fake about it, it was simple and pure joy.

I also watched Mom Junior navigate a small obstacle course. Her little fists pumped with fury as her little legs ran with all their might to the first obstacle. She jumped over a little hurdle and unfortunately she ended up falling and as I stood there with a Mom's anguish, she got up and continued on. I silently cheered with a smile on my face as my little Mom Junior ran dizzly through the orange cones and then tried to hula with a hoop. Mom Junior then ran back to the starting line with the same furry she started out with and more importantly with a smile on her face. She then spotted me and waved to me and I waved back. I think I smiled bigger than she did, and a child's smile is pretty big.

Goober Baby also gave me a good dose of sweetness this weekend when for the first time, she said her sister's name. It is always cool when your child speaks your name for the first time. That "Mommy" is a cherished sound (unless it's 2 in the morning and you are having to drag your butt out of bed) but hearing your child speak the name of your other children, there is a touch of magic in that. And when Goober Baby softly said "Oh-E" to call out to her sister, I just melted.

There are many times that our world is attacked with so much sadness and loss that your heart just can't help to hang heavy. I have found so many times that it is my small young children who are able to left such a heavy burden from my heart just by their innocence of youth.