close your eyes...

pretend your a child seeing and feeling things for the very first time....

climbing a tree for the first time with no fear as the wind blows thru the branches as you float above the world laughing and waving to everyone below.....making mud pies for your dad to "eat" and him exclaiming with over-exagerated enthusiam that they were the most delicious, food he had ever tasted all the while chasing you around the yard trying to "kiss the cook"....the joy on your mother's face when you appeared with a handful of "flowers" (weeds) for her - as she arranged them as a magnificant centerpiece for the dining room table - the joy when your own child does the same for you.....picnic feast of peanut butter and jelly held on the living room floor when it rained....collecting ladybugs and fireflys as your new pets....going fishing with dad just so you could dig for worms and release the crickets - him knowing any fish caught would be thrown back because you didn't want it to be without it's mommy....the fuzzy worms with legs that tickles as it walks across your hand, watching the catapillar in the cocoon, waiting for it to turn into a butterfly...chasing the butterfly as it is always just out of reach....splashing in the creek while trying to catch tadpoles.....

i used to think those were the best days of my life, but from where i sit today i think i am embarking on a whole new adventure filled with happiness and laughter....