I Was Born to Do Tricks

I was born to do tricks.

She said it at 8:50 Friday night, when it was past tucking in time. “Look, I should be in the Olympics!” When I wanted her to quiet down. She was stretching her legs long, touching the top of the bunk. I started to sigh. But her words hit me. Six words she said explain childhood so well: I was born to do tricks.

So much of childhood is enthusiastic and free of fear.

…”Look, Mama! Look! I wrote it”

…Come look at this picture I drew!

…”See I added green sprinkles!”

Shooting hoops! (while he was singing “Try, try and try again. Your gonna get it right every now and then…the fun is in the trying. ~ from Boz the Bear)

Building new bridges and a new road.

Savoring…”Read it again!”

Celebrating…Girl-decorated cookie cake.

Snakes, snails and puppy dog tails. Sugar, spice and everything nice.

The world is so full

Of a number of things,

I’m sure we should all

Be as happy as kings. ~ Robert Louis Stevenson

 

(Counting gifts of childhood 2459-2469). Plus…

2470. Getting away.

2471. Pimento cheese.

2472. Green anole posing in the hydrangea bush.

2473. Everybody working and playing in the yard together.

2474. Time with a friend.

2475. Our 16th wedding anniversary this week!

2476. A walk with Queen Anne’s lace taller than littlest. Dr. Pepper and lemonade on the way home.

Joshua 1:9 from Sunday’s sermon… Haven’t I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take.