Play

We had a beautiful day yesterday.  Today’s wasn’t so bad either, but yesterday was a real gift. We’re rarely blessed with such mild temps so late in the year, so last night we got out Molly’s leash and took a walk.

Autumn rode along on her big wheel. This was the first time she has ever ridden the big wheel past the end of our driveway (with our consent, I might add) and she had a blast.  We thought it would be good practice for her since we have it on good authority that Santa has gotten her a b.i.k.e. for Christmas. Of course now that she’s getting a b.i.k.e., Mom and Dad will probably have to consider getting one, too.

Autumn was, for the most part, pretty good on the big wheel.  There were frequent requests for her to get out of the middle of the street and when a car would approach she’d careen into someone’s lawn and wait for it to pass.  Her theatrics, while comical, turned a fifteen minute walk into a sustained exercise in patience.   When it was time to walk to the grocery store, we deposited both Molly and the big wheel at home and pulled Autumn behind us in the wagon.

On the walk to the store, we passed an elementary school playground. This would be the same elementary school playground we pass every day on the way to work/school and just about every day Autumn asks if we can stop.  So this time we did stop.  Nathan continued on to the store and we stayed behind at the playground.

There’s no other time I love to watch Autumn more than when she’s playing outside.  The pure joy on her face as she squeals and runs from one piece of equipment to another is something we don’t get to see every day.  Actually, we rarely see it because we don’t get outside with her much.  We can say it’s because the daylight is waning just as we get out of work or she gets enough playground time at school or our weekends are too packed with whatever chores we couldn’t finish during the week.  But really, we don’t get out with her because we’re lazy.

Autumn has an endless supply of energy and she’s at the magic age where there’s always time for more play.  In a few short years she’ll be in school all day, have limited time for recess and have to devote her after school hours to homework and chores.

Growing up is never so heartbreaking as it is when you see it happen to someone you love.

Last night as we were getting ready for bed, I told Nathan how I wish I could be that young again.  I wish the only thing I ever wanted was to play.  I wish liberty and a large playground could make me as happy as it makes my child and I wish I had enough energy to share in that happiness with her every day.

Right now I’m working very hard to get some of that energy back, but I’m afraid there’s nothing I can do to make sure my daughter waits for me to catch up with her.

Time doesn’t stand still and neither does she.