And Poof, You're Alive
Tuesday, December 4, 2007 at 11:52AM Jen of One Plus Two recently wrote a wonderful post about mourning the magic. The magic and joy our toddlers see and feel within the world every day. Here is a snippet of the post which you must go read (in my typical fashion I never got my shit together to nominate it for a perfect post award).
I lost this magic, this utter precocious appreciation for every single color and every single thing. Rampant wild joyous magic. It’s this loss I mourn the most. And I thank all that is holy that I have been graced with a daughter who is kind enough to show me the way back. Back to the magic, back to myself.
I cried when I read this post. I still think about the words she wrote all the time, especially when I watch my daughter play in her magical world. I too have lost the magic. Yet like Jen, I have my untainted, pure toddler to bring it back to me in golden snippets that never fail to pleasantly surprise me. With her absolute excitement, her never ending awe and her openness to receive and give to everyone and everything.
The way she interacts with all the inanimate objects around her brings me back. When I was little, the whole world was alive. I remember taking great pains to rotate the chairs I would sit on. To me, they all had feelings and hearts, so I tried my best to sit on them all evenly, lest one of them think I liked another one more. I see this personification emerging in my daughter stronger and stronger everyday. And it fills my heart to the point of exploding.
Her world is alive. There are friends and playmates in every direction, appearing in a blink of an eye. True, with it comes some foes like the scary monsters that lurk in the shadows. But even those can suddenly become a giggle partner when exposed by the light.
Every day there seems to be a new adventure with a new pal. She is a caring soul, my daughter. She delights in making others happy and making sure they are well tended to in every way. And that includes our new trash can.
When Piper saw that sticker on the front of the new trash can, her face lit up like a Christmas tree. Pointing at the photo, she exclaimed in pure and absolute excitement, “Ooooooh, loooooooooooook! Trash can, that’s you! That’s you! That’s your picture right there!”
Her face, her voice, her excitement and joy. Over a trash can. Over a picture of a trash can.
And just like that. {Poof} My heart melts all over the kitchen floor. With every object she brings to life, I become more alive. Like magic.
Reader Comments (8)
This is a perfect post! I love love Piper's excitement over the trash can photo. Absolutely priceless!
I love that post too, and your example of toddler magic? Pure bliss.
Sigh. This is so sweet. I can just see her getting excited for the trash can. Their projection is a lovely reflection of who they are, and what they want. It is magic.
Julie
Using My Words
Ohhh - they do do that, don't they - bring us back to live - bring the magic alive!! Loved this post - wonderful! See you soon, Kellan
Ah...the innocence of youth!
This post reminds me of the end of "The Polar Express"
"The bell fell silent for most of my friends....but I for me...it always rang...as it does for all those who truly believe!" (Oh...how I pitifully butchered that...but you get the idea!)
Oh, the joy of toddlerhood and the spontaneity that goes with it!
oh love. thank you. and what a beautiful post. i so relate, of course.
They bring it back to us, friend.