a lesson in joy

Sometimes I have to remind myself what it was like to be a child. There were so many things that I found interesting, captivating, fun that I now pass by on a regular basis without thinking twice about them. While I dismiss those "simple" things now, I've been reliving them through my children lately.

Today while eating breakfast, the garbage truck came by. Luca, Andre and I ran outside barefoot in our pajamas just to watch the truck pick up and dump each canister. They looked at the truck in awe, like it was the coolest thing they've ever seen! On our way back to the house, we ran into some snails crossing our walkway and leaving a little trail behind. Luca laid on his tummy and laughed out loud every time the antenae retracted with a gentle touch. Andre laughed just because Luca was laughing. I laughed with them.

In the back of my mind, I was thinking we should hurry because we had to get ready for swim class and then pack up and go visit my parents 3 hours away. But for a couple of minutes, I forgot all about it and just got caught up in Luca and Andre's joy. Childhood can be so joyful. I may be teaching my sons a lot of things, but I think they are teaching me a lot more.