Watch The Children

     I just love weekday afternoons in May. It is during this special time that I get to see one of the most wonderful sights in the world. It is a sight that teaches me again and again about what life truly is all about. I get to see it mainly when I go to pick up my youngest son from school. I can even hear it as I get out of my car. Its musical and magical sound floats happily through the air from the playground just off the preschool building. It is the sound of children at play.

     Each day just before I pick up my boy I take in this glorious and happy sight of the preschool children having one last recess before they go home. Many of the parents are there as well smiling as they watch that special joy that their children are creating. I look on as one happy boy swings and calls out for his teacher to watch. I see two smiling girls skip, laugh, and gather handfuls of dandelions to give their Moms. I watch as two boys ride the rocking horses with all the energy and delight that their little hearts can muster. I smile upon seeing a girl hanging upside down from the miniature money bars and giggling at the whole world. As I get my own son he too runs for the swing set for one last ride as well before we head home. He may have the body of a 12 year old, but he still has the bliss of a child's heart, mind, and soul.

     These beautiful children remind me everyday that life truly is about joy, laughter, and love.  Anything else is just details. We may all have to go to our jobs, clean our homes, raise our families, and take care of all the tasks in life. Still, there is no reason we can't do all these things with love, laughter, and joy. In fact the only thing we should take seriously in this life is the love and joy that we choose and share. It is what makes life worth living and it is God's greatest gift to us all. Cherish that gift then. Rejoice in it. Share it with the world. And if you don't think you can remember how to then stop by a playground one day and watch the children.

~ Joseph J. Mazzella ~

[ by: Joseph J. Mazzella (joecool@wirefire) -- from 'Inspired Buffalo' (InspiredBuffalo@lighthouse.net) ]