When I Was Their Age

Sometimes I look at my kids and wonder if I was ever quite that precious. Did I make my mom smile as much as they make me? Did I give Mom her first grey hairs? Did I believe I could do anything? Did I get horribly crestfallen when I discovered I couldn’t? Did I recover five minutes later, more determined than ever to take over the world?

My kids amaze me. I think all kids amaze their parents. Sometimes it’s aaawwww stuff. Sometimes is aarrrrggggg stuff (complete with waving fist). But no doubt about it – kids are amazing.

When asked about my childhood, my mom will typically use words like “joy” and “treasure.” She will admit that I was a handful and precocious, but she’ll also tell you that those were some of the things she enjoyed most about me.

I should probably note at this point that my mom also enjoyed childbirth, especially the pushing part (yes, she is perfectly sound, mentally) – and this with only a shot of Demerol in her. So you can take her version of my childhood with a grain of salt if you’d like. Or keep reading and you can see for yourself.

When I was a kid, I thought I was invincible. As a toddler, I climbed a small tree in our front yard. When Mom came rushing out to my rescue, I told her: “I’m a girl. I’m not fragile!”

I also firmly believed I was either Princess Leia or Wonder Woman and that I could fly. I grew my hair out so I could do the Cinnabon thing with it and I wore out countless pairs of socks (and doubtlessly my mom’s patience as well) because, as every one knows, if you put socks on over your church shoes it looks just like you’re wearing knee-high boots.

Somewhere along the line though, I grew up. At least mostly. I cut my hair. I started wearing my socks inside my shoes (if I wear them at all). There are days now when I feel very fragile. And even though I still dream about flying, I’ve long since abandoned the practice of jumping from things to see if I actually can while I’m awake.

Growing up is a little sad, don’t you think?

That’s why I love spending time with my boys. Through their eyes, I’m able to rediscover the world. I can see the innocence.

And for a fleeting moment, I might even imagine I can fly.