There is a magical feeling that fills the air when you see children running free and wild, and hear them laughing, deep laughs, as they chase butterflies in a springtime meadow. It was that magical feeling that filled the air as I stepped onto the trail on Monday morning. As soon as I parked the car the kids were gone, off and running along the trail. I grabbed the backpack and followed.
In the meadow they chased butterflies, discovered the first dragonflies of the season, and stopped once or twice to check out something close to the ground. I stood, in silence, letting them be, and soaking up the beauty around me.
We moved on from the meadow to the water where the frogs serenaded us while we enjoyed our picnic. The kids explored the water, watching the fish, and trying to find a frog. They wondered through the woods while I sat by the water. A little hide out was found among the trees, and a tree was climbed, and then we hiked on.
A long, slow climb on the trail lead us to the high point, a beautiful spot looking out over the water. We all needed a drink of water at the top, and there were tent caterpillar nests to be explored before we made our way back, through the high meadow, to the car.
As I watched these two on Monday, exploring the natural world, learning in their own way, and developing a deeper appreciation for Mother Nature, two words came to mind...wild and free. I love that I can give Reece and his little friend the time and space to be wild and free, to experience adventure and freedom and to fully embrace the wonder of their childhood.
Thank you, thank you. At the end of a very busy period and the weather turning cold again round here this is just what I needed! Just lovely.
ReplyDeleteAw, you are most welcome my friend. I am sorry to hear it has gotten cold again. We are the exact opposite, enjoying summer like temperatures already. It is suppose to reach 40 degrees today with the humidity. We skipped spring and went right to summer :)
DeleteWishing you a lovely day. xo
He always looks so big and older in your posts but this one makes him look young (little) and carefree in the full swing of childhood :) Love the contrast and seeing him grow before your eyes.
ReplyDeleteYou think so :) There are definite moments lately when I look at him and think how did you grow up so fast. But then he will snuggle up in my arms and I look down at him and see my baby boy.
DeleteThanks Karen.
I love that feeling too. Love the new blog photo! (by the way - he's getting so tall!!)
ReplyDeleteYes, I do too! Thanks! And yes, he won't stop growing :)
DeleteBeautiful! We should all be so wild and free!
ReplyDeleteYES! Wouldn't that be wonderful. I guess you will be experiencing a little bit of that this summer :)
DeleteLove watching your charges run free. Such a wonderful gift you are giving them. xo
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks my friend. xo
DeleteWonderful, Kim!
ReplyDeleteThanks Dawn!
DeleteYour little boy is lucky to have you as mom because you let it grow at its own pace in mother nature landscapes... xo
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks my friend. I am lucky to have him too :)
DeleteSo important Kim. Enjoy xxoo
ReplyDeleteYes, Julie I agree. xo
DeleteI agree about the magic - i think it's called gratitude or feeling free yourself just watching them.
ReplyDeleteSo lovely - I love beautiful meadows
Yes, gratitude indeed!
DeleteI love watching children enjoying themselves in nature. There's something about being outdoors that is so soothing. Beautiful photos. I'm trying to decide which trail we should hike next.
ReplyDeleteIt is always a joy to watch them free and wild in nature, just being themselves.
DeleteThank you. I can't wait to see where you hike next, you will share right?
This is a wonderful childhood. This is life. This is WILD an FREE!
ReplyDeleteI somehow knew you would totally get this :)
DeleteI am really appreciating this today as well. We enjoyed the wonderful gift of spending the night at our friends' cabin in the mountain on Friday and we hardly saw the kids at all on Saturday morning. I can only imagine the secrets they were sharing with each other, the pine trees and the chipmunks :) I am really, so grateful that there will be children who were allowed to be wild and free that will one day grow up into adults in our world.
ReplyDelete(Thinking of you and hoping you and Reece are well)
Oh that sounds just wonderful, my friend. Such a wonderful opportunity for them to be free and wild, exploring in the woods, and connecting with the earth. It is such a gift.
DeleteThank you, we are well, and enjoying our days so much right now. Homeschool has finished up for now, and we are taking a break for a week or two before jumping into some light summer learning. The gardens are growing, and we are spending lots of time outside, right where we like to be :) I hope you know you are never far from my thoughts either my friend. Big hugs. xo
Wild and free are such wonderful words to be able to use to describe their childhood. Especially if you consider their opposites, how horrible would tame and caged be? Love those first 2 photos in the meadow especially.
ReplyDeleteHa, yes, the opposites aren't that great are they :)
DeleteThose are my two favourite photos from the day. I just love open meadows, but add in kiddos to the photo and my heart smiles. Such a gift.
I can feel the joy and warmth from your pictures... I can't wait for my kiddos to be sunkissed and running through the high grasses. It truly is a gift for them, and us, to know them deeply connected. I thank the Universe every day for these values that seem to naturally sink in them. What amazing people they are!
ReplyDeleteThis day was a beautiful day, without a doubt. Yes, amazing people, and we are so lucky to be able to walk their paths with them.
DeleteWhat a lovely day and sentiment. Wild free. We need more days like that....
ReplyDeleteWe certainly do :)
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