Through the Eyes of a Child

I love the ocean, or more specifically, the very northern California and the Oregon coast.  I love walking in the redwood trees.  I love encountering wildlife and especially have a fondness for birds.  I wonder about the different kinds of trees, berries and wildflowers and enjoy learning about things such as what differentiates pines from spruces, firs or cedars or seals from sea lions.  The only thing better than visiting my favorite spots is visiting them with someone who is seeing them for the first time.  There is no way to explain to another person what it is like to walk in the stillness of a redwood grove, to poke around in a tide pool or watch the surf crash over the rocks.   My joy doubles when sharing these marvelous places with someone else. 

I just returned from a trip to the coast and one of the highlights was introducing these natural wonders to two young grand daughters who were seeing the ocean and the redwoods for the first time.  Their delight was unbounded and it brought me deep contentment to see them enjoying the things that I love.  I have a small electronic player that pictures birds and plays their calls when the corresponding button is pushed.  The little three-year-old played with it over and over; again it warmed my heart to see her finding joy in things that bring me joy.  It is good to take a child if you need to see familiar things through new eyes.   Some of the wonder that is lost over time is restored when sharing life with a child.

Children require constant vigilance and can leave their caring adults exhausted and frazzled BUT they most certainly bring sunshine into our lives.  We provided many activities to keep them occupied during the long drive in the car but one of the most fun activities was created by the six-year-old.  She got out her notebook and pencil, wrote the names of everyone in the car and numbers from one to five under each name.  Then she seriously asked each parent and grandparent, in turn, what they want to be when they grow up.  Then she asked her little sister who answered: “a banana slug.”  The bright yellow oversize slime machines are common in the redwood forests and their “cute” little heads with retractable antennae fascinated her.

Truly, the world is a richer place when shared  with a child.