Recently Caiden found himself enamored with the little beetle-like bugs that are so frequent to our area. He appeared to be in a world all his own, letting the small critters wander freely on his limbs as he sat smiling at their wonder. I shuddered inwardly as I watched him, knowing my own impulse would be to flee from the creepy, crawly insects with many legs. When he noted the disdain on my face he informed me quite simply, “They’re my friends, Mom. They’re nice.”
As I watched him with his new playmates, I marveled at his easy acceptance that carries with it none of the tainted scrutiny I am so hasty to use. I recognized something far beyond a little boy playing with beetles and it brought to my awareness just how simple and fresh life sums up in the unencumbered way of thinking of a little boy.
Reflecting on that unintentional object lesson given by a five year old reminds me to search out the hidden delights all around me lest I overlook something greater than the unwelcome company of a beetle. To a child’s uncomplicated mindset, happiness in life is everywhere and even quite tangible. All I have to do is look.
