As the warmer weather arrives, of course the kids want to play outside. That's just normal, and it actually is a bit of a relief when they can go out in the yard and play on the swing set or explore in the wooded area just behind our house. The other day the girls were tumbling around in the living room, giggling and tickling each other, and occasionally getting a bit annoyed with one another. So I said, "Hey, how about going outside to play?"
I thought that made a lot of sense since it was a really beautiful afternoon. So, off they went, wearing their new "feet flops" (as Gracie has always called them), to the back yard. Five minutes later they were back inside. "What's up with that?" I asked, just a bit distracted with the other tasks I was trying to accomplish that day. "There's nothing to do out there!" they declared. Really? "Well, how about going out THERE and do what you were doing in HERE?" I asked. "You know, the running and yelling, tumbling and falling down, giggling and teasing, and generally being loud and boisterous." They both looked at me like I had lost my mind. Perhaps I have, but at least I'm happy ;o) That idea just didn't seem to compute in their little brains. So I told them to go back outside and figure it out.
They did, and I was able to think one thought from beginning to end . . . but that was about all! As they were outside playing, it suddenly occurred to me that life is much different now from when I was raising my older children. Back then, I didn't worry so much about them playing in the yard or visiting their neighborhood friends. They walked to the elementary school that was just around the corner, and they rode their bikes around the block.
It could be that I'm just more protective now than I was back then, but I don't think so. Even out here in the country where we have wonderful neighbors, there is still the fear of looking out my office window to keep an eye on my children, only to discover that they are nowhere to be seen. That is terrifying to a mother's heart. And when you hear on the nightly news of so many child abductions, kidnappings, murders, and rapes, I just think I can't be too careful when it comes to my babies. Just two weeks ago a 14 year old girl was brutally abducted and murdered right here in our little farm community. As it turned out, it was her 17 year old boyfriend, and he was arrested right away . . . . so at least we know that this was not some random act of violence. But it was still horrible. As I think about our family's homeland security plans and precautions, I am saddened to think that childhood is not the carefree time that it could be. Maybe it never was . . . . but I'm definitely more aware of the many dangers that are out there in this big world and feel the need to be ever vigilant in protecting these little ones. Keep them close to your heart, and ever in sight - at least for another day or two.
Posted by: |