Looking At Life Through The Eyes of a Child

Sometimes we need to take a step back from the daily grind. We get so involved in life that we sometimes forget there is so much more to it. Between the limitations we place upon ourselves to the blinders on our eyes, we miss so much.

Today Dale and I took our 3 year-old son, Kaleb, to the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, SC. In all honesty when we woke up it was not a trip we were looking forward to, but alas, we did it because we promised Kaleb. You know the “if you’re good ALL week we’ll take you to the zoo” bribe. When Kaleb arrived at the zoo, he was like a kid in a candy store. He was alive with wonder and amazement. Everything that he saw was new. The light that we saw in Kaleb’s eyes was priceless (hope that word isn’t trademarked…thanks to MasterCard!).

For 4 hours today we had the pleasure of looking through Kaleb’s eyes…the eyes of a child. Dale and I looked at things differently, took time to feel the breeze and even smell the air (some of it was pretty hard to miss ). We looked at animals, flowers and trees with a new fervor and zest for life. And you know what? It was exhilarating and awesome to say the least.

After our fun-filled trip to the zoo, we stopped off at a mall in the area to visit the Build A Bear Workshop. If you have never been to this store, it is in a word breathtaking and it can’t help but put a HUGE smile on your face. Everywhere you look there are stuffed animals…from floor to ceiling. In bins along the walls you will find numerous un-stuffed animals, from teddy bears to cats to dogs to pigs…if you dream it, its there. Kaleb decided that he wanted to get a beautiful light tan teddy bear. He picked up the bear with a huge smile and waited in line to have it stuffed. While he was waiting patiently in line he found the “animal sounds” (animal sounds are “voice boxes” for your new stuffed friend). Kaleb picked out a “giggle” voice box and laughed his head off. After they stuffed his bear, we proceeded to the dressing room where you can pick out clothing for your new friend. Kaleb picked out a cute little fireman outfit, complete with boots, hat and hose. I could go on, but as you can see he had a fabulous time as did we. The smile on his face was worth it all. (I am including a picture of Kaleb with his new bear “Fireman Bear”.)

“me love Fireman Bear Mommy!”

It is my hope, our hope that we will take time each and everyday to appreciate life and the things around us. We encourage you to do the same.

Becki Noles