After meandering around Home Depot trying to find velcro without the adhesive backing (a one hour ordeal), I walked out to my car and a late twenty-something dad pulled up next to my car. He unbuckles his eighteen to twenty-four month old son from the backseat and holds him in his arms. This kid got my attention from the second I saw him. Whispy locks and brown eyes so deep you could sink. I stuck my tongue out at him and he gives me this look with such inquisitiveness, his two year old eyebrows furrowed. As his dad carries his son into the store, with his tiny head bobbling up and down behind his father's shoulder and arm around his neck, I make a more exaggerated silly face with my eyes crossed. He lights up, a smile as wide as the sea, such joy and life in this kids face. I began to chuckle heartily, started my car and drove off. His joy became contagious as my cheeks tired, amazed at the wonder and mystery of children.
What is it about them that brings such laughter and satisfaction? Is it their innocence or ignorance of what surrounds them? I don't know, nor do I need to know. I am content with the experience itself, nothing more. What a task to describe the rich joy of a child's smile, how much more if they are your own? Perhaps He'll allow me to experience it for myself, one day.
