Be As A Little Child

Yesterday was a spring cleaning day. Only here in Phoenix that means something a bit different. There wasn't messes left from months of snow to clean up, no no, there was dead weeds to clear out and rocks to rake. And, most importantly, there is the pool to get ready! It's pool time! And I had put off preparing the pool for swimming. Yesterday, I got it ready. And at the end of the day, it was really nice to sit there, with the feet in the water and admire it's beauty.

No, it was too late by the time all was ready to actually go swimming. But that didn't stop my 8 yr old, Deborah from asking if they could go. Well, she intended to ask me anyway. I was sitting on the diving board admiring my hard work, daddy was sitting beside me and 2 yr old Brandon was beside daddy, his own little feet dangling in the water. Deborah came up to me to ask, and before she could get the words out of her mouth, I pushed her in. Yes, that's right, I pushed her into the water, fully clothed. And it was funny. Now, see, I couldn't have done that with 12 yr old, Heather, no no...that would have been very bad. But Deborah is a good sport about such things and after a stressed moment of losing her shoe, she laughed and laughed. I told her we weren't going swimming but that she should go inside and shower.

My wise husband said at this point I should be expecting the other two older children shortly. I said nooo...but he was right. First, Dale, 10 yr old, wander slowly out by the pool. I had stood and was preparing to go inside, but had to push him in first. Laughing, he returned inside. And just as I had convinced Brandon to come inside with me, Heather came tentatively tip toe-ing out by the pool. I said 'ok, I'll push you in'. She said, 'can I jump?' I said, 'no what's the fun in that.' Still she didn't let me get much leverage and dove prettily into the pool. She still made a significant splash tho upon coming up from the water.

So, picture this if you will, Heather splashing around in the pool, fully clothed. Brandon, suddenly has become very concerned. "OH NO!" He keeps shouting. Daddy and I just laugh and laugh as Heather takes her splashing good time to leave the pool. Reassuring Brandon has no effect and he runs over, grabs the aluminum pole with the strainer attachment and holds it out to Heather, to rescue her. My heart leapt into my throat. Wow! How did he know to do that?? Was he the only child paying attention last summer on saftey day at swim lessons? Naw, he was only one at the time, that couldn't be it. He instinctively knew how to save his much larger, flailing sister. Heather grabbed the end and sweetly played along as she took the steps out of the pool. She gave Brandon a hug and thanked him. He was overjoyed to see her saftely back on the pool deck and we all went inside.

Daily, I see Brandon and Robert, 3 yr old, interact in similar ways. They are deeply concerned for each other's well being and happiness. They will give hugs to comfort, kisses to heal and ask 'Happy?' to be sure all is right in their little worlds again. They are such shining little examples of how we should all care and love each other. Wouldn't it be something sweet and special if the leaders of the world could hug, give healing kisses, and ask each other if all is happy. We should all be more like little children. (Except for the fit throwing and screaming NO!)

On another happy note, my new vanity liscense plate arrived this week. Can you guess what it says??

Happy Guessing!