Big Mud Puddles and Sunny Yellow Dandelions

When I look at a patch of dandelions, I see a bunch of weeds that are going to take over my yard.
My kids see flowers for Mom and blowing white fluff you can wish on.

When I look at an old drunk and he smiles at me, I see a smelly, dirty person who probably wants money and I look away.
My kids see someone smiling at them and they smile back.

When I hear music I love, I know I can't carry a tune and don't have much rhythm so I sit self-consciously and listen.
My kids feel the beat and move to it. They sing out the words. If they don't know them, they make up their own.

When I feel wind on my face, I brace myself against it. I feel it messing up my hair and pulling me back when I walk.
My kids close their eyes, spread their arms and fly with it, until they fall to the ground laughing.

When I pray, I say thee and thou and grant me this, give me that.
My kids say, "Hi God! Thanks for my toys and my friends. Please keep the bad dreams away tonight. Sorry, I don't want to go to Heaven yet. I would miss my Mommy and Daddy."

When I see a mud puddle I step around it. I see muddy shoes and dirty carpets.
My kids sit in it. They see dams to build, rivers to cross, and worms to play with.

I wonder if we are given kids to teach or to learn from? No wonder God loves the little children!
Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.

I wish you Big Mud Puddles and Sunny Yellow Dandelions!!!

When I see a big mud puddle I see an inexpensive above-ground pool. My neighbors keep circulating petitions but screw 'em!!

Occasionally I'll cruise the archives to see what threads are approaching their dreaded no-posts-in-60-days point, the point at which they are closed down, shut up, and put on the shelf forever. Disney style, I picture them staring at a calendar, quivvering and biting their nails, as a condemned prisoner might while awaiting his or her execution day.

Every once in a while, however, a 60-day reprieve comes in from the governor.* Morgan, this is a lovely piece. If for no other reason than to bring it to the attention of new members to this board who may not have noticed it, let's bring it up to the top of the list.


*Hold on, don't get excited, y'all. While I remain King of the limericks thread and Emperor of my Jovian moon, I am not assuming the governorship here. That would be presumptuous...