Today my husband, children, parents and I went on our annual excursion to an area amusement park. We go every year on a certain day, and have been doing this since I was a little kid. I remember being my sons age and how exciting it was and what I liked and didn't like. (One thing I liked, and always wanted was one of these huge paper roses, about 16 inches in diameter, but my mom always refused to shell out the stupid amount of money for said tissue paper rose, which may have scarred me permanently, but that's a tale for another time!) Now I get to go and see my parents enjoy watching their grandchildren ride the rides and eat the junk food and play those ridiculously expensive games and all those amusement park things. This year, my son has grown too tall to ride some of the rides in kiddie land, which makes me somewhat sad as it makes me realize how fast time travels and days go by and kids grow and change. My daughter is the one who really made me think this year though. This year, a whole year older than last, she was much more aware of things going on around her and was able to scope out the rides and choose which ones she was interested in, which was most of them. Where my son is timid and extremely cautious, my daughter is mach 2 with her hair on fire flat out goin'. Watching her run gleefully from one ride to the next, asking "where now mommy?" was so much fun. Seeing the smile on her face, hearing her little belly laugh as she held up her hands on the roller coaster brought me such joy. She's never been on a roller coaster before, but she was so open to trying it and so unabashedly enthusiastic, that it was contagious! I looked at her, wanting to freeze the moment in time because it was so full of joy and fun. The merry-go-round, the flying swings, the helicopters and race cars- all held a new adventure, excitement and joy. It was a day that I will always remember and picture in my mind, even when my daughter is all grown up. It gives me such joy and at the same time makes me want to cry because I know there will never be another day just like this one...time travels, days go by, kids grow and change. To those who contemplate never having children, which I admit, I at one time did, this is the kind of day that you can't fully explain or put into words when you are trying to convince someone that children are the most wonderful, magical, fun thing in the world. They pain you sometimes, and try your patience pretty much daily, but nothing is worth it like the payback you get when they wrap their little arms around your neck and plant a big kiss on your lips and say "I wuv you mommy!" or when they concentrate so hard on a crayon picture and then bring it to you pronouncing that it's you. I really love when I go somewhere and upon my return after, say, just a couple of hours get a running hug and greeting like I've been gone for days.And then there's the payback you get totally unexpectedly on magical days at the amusement park...thank you God for this day.
MAGIC FOREVER, GROWN-UPS NEVER!
