When I was growing up, a pair of ducks visited our neighborhood every spring, and most of the way through the summer. The elderly lady at the end of the road named them Henry and Henrietta. We would save stale bread and crackers in anticipation of their arrival every other day or so.
Last year, Henry and Henrietta visited my grown-up yard. Maya Grade was in love with them, and I found myself almost as excited to see them as she was.
The ducks are back again this year, and are super happy to sit in our yard all morning or afternoon. We put out fresh water for them, and they receive our bread scraps when they are available. Maya and Sadie like to watch them through the window, and Sadie quacks at them. Well, she "kack"s at them. They don't seem to mind.
I am reminded how simple little things like this are what makes childhood special. I hope that my girls will one day have a home and children, and that they will be visited by Henry and Henrietta, too.
At this time in my life, I am finding that I am wanting to make the most our of every little moment with my family as I can. I want to hang out in our back yard, or at the playground, or running around on the sand at the beach. I want to blow bubbles and dig holes and collect rocks. I want to listen to the birds sing, watch the stars come out, and chase little ants into their holes.
I don't need to go lots of places and spend money on things we don't need. Neighborhood ducks and puddles to splash in and piggy toes that have been dirtied from playing outside all afternoon to wash in the tub are just fine for me.
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