To Be A Kid Again

Swimming in the pool, playing in the park, watching animals at the zoo, riding roller coasters, jumping on a trampoline, and discovering new sights, sounds, and smells are all magical when you’re a child. I remember feeling excitement and anticipation at the thought of these activities as a kid.

We took Clara on her first train ride this weekend. When the three of us do things together as a family, I feel like a kid again with so much happiness and pure joy in the moment.

It was a cold, breezy, but sunny Sunday afternoon in February. While passengers were boarding the Forest Park Miniature Railroad, Clara held my hand as we walked from the engine to the caboose waving to people in the train cars. “All aboard!” said the conductor as we hopped on next to Daddy, squished together to stay warm and cozy in one seat.

As we started to move, I noticed the wonder on her face as we began this new adventure. The cold wind from the Trinity blew on our faces as families on bicycles rode by. “Look!” I would say. “A bicycle!…a doggie!.. ducks!…a waterfall!…a bridge!…a park!”. Who knew all of these things could be so exciting? Mommy and daddy were just as thrilled as she was to point out the sites that passed by. And to top it off, passerby’s waved with big smiles, bringing such joy to the present moment.

Just when things couldn’t get any better, the train stopped for a popcorn break. She was too busy watching the sites to see us “sharing” the popcorn until the very end when I gave her a few small pieces of salty goodness. As the train curved around the bend to go back to the depot, we could finally see the rest of the train and wave to the other passengers. “Choo Choo! Choo Choo!” She’s heard that sound before in songs and books, but now she can associate them with the real thing!

I am so thankful to share these special moments as a family and to experience life as a kid again.