Adventure

Why is it that we have to grow up? Wouldn't it be better if we could exist in a perpetual state of Peter Pannic youth? Today I finally realized the tragedy of the fall. I knew about the entrance of sin into the world and grieved that, but I never understood the weight of the loss of innocence. When Adam and Eve became aware of their nakedness, they had lost the joy of innocence. Laine and Annabel have shown me the beauty of innocence. The utter joy of experiencing life without any cognition of how he or she appears to others. True, at times, Laine will notice others watching and step up his act, but overall, he lives abundantly without giving much thought to others.

Today we went to Hooker Falls. It was a 1/4 mile walk on a gravel path. The lush forest on either side provided shade and created a tunnel of growth for us to pass through. I had one of those awesome moments when I could watch my son discover new things without worrying about traffic or sharing or being too loud. He was entranced with the rocks, the mountain laurel, the river and the waterfall. He would run joyfully then skid to a stop to pick up a fallen leaf. If we met someone on the path he would confidently declare that he was wearing his "no fussing adventure shoes." It was a lovely walk.

Then he learned about skipping.

He and Luke were holding hands and Laine started cavorting a bit, and Luke asked if he were skipping. Then it was, "Daddy skip." "Laine skip." A reciprocation of joy. My overworked, overburdened, worn husband was skipping along a path with his beloved child. Laine would giggle as Luke skipped and Luke would chuckle at the "skipping" of a toddler. Innocence was a great loss. How the Father must grieve for us.

Lord, in your mercy, return us to the innocence of a child.