What a glorious day it was on the first day of March. Not only did the sun shine all day, but the fact I didn't have to wear a coat here in CT was a blessing in itself. This past winter has been pretty difficult and almost unbearable at times, even for the most seasoned North Easterner. It definitely came in like a lion, if not a whole pack of them!
I love Spring. Not only because I'm a Spring baby, but it's a chance for renewal in so many ways. It allows us to start over and fresh. Spring has a certain smell to it, too. The melting snow gives way to the asphalt that has been buried for many months by ice and snow. The air has a crispness that warms your nostrils when you breathe it in.
I loved today. And it wasn't just the weather. I hosted a playdate with my six-year old son and his two best buddies. They were beyond thrilled. These 3 boys have known each other basically since birth and any chance they get, they want to get together and play. It's not enough they ride the same bus each morning and afternoon together and one of them is in the same class, too. These boys just want to keep the party going, and, heck, if I were them, I would, too! Life is good when you are six!!!
Since the weather was especially nice, it was perfect that I didn't have to keep these kids couped up in the house. They played outside in the driveway, playing with the new radio control cars my son received from Santa this past Christmas. I found some scrap plywood and set up a make-shift ramp...boy, that was the icing on the cake for them. It kicked up their playing level from an 8 to a 10 right away! It was so fun to watch these boys go at it and smash their trucks into each other while attempting the biggest feat in all Tonka Truck history according to them.
In between playing with the cars and trucks, they also shot some hoops with our full-sized basketball net. I even got in on the game with them and they outnumbered me, 3 to 1. It was glorious! I even introduced a new game to them that I played as a child...HORSE. Apparently there are several versions of this game; we played where we marked the court with the letters HORSE around the net and each boy had to make a shot before moving to the next letter. Though they didn't complete the game, most likely due to the fact they are six-year old boys who can't keep still for more than 5 seconds and stay at task, it was a fun time, regardless.
So, even though today was focused on hosting three boys at my house, (by the way, you may wonder where my daughter was...she was at a friend's house for a playdate), it was also a day for me to enjoy some time with my son and his friends. I gave them some guidance, left them alone, then came back to make sure they didn't blow up anything (trust me...I'm sure someday that may happen). I got to see a different side to playing with boys. I'm usually so focused on sticking to rules, keeping safe, being respectful, not fighting with each other, etc., that I miss the opportunities to see how fun and silly boys are at this age! They were burping, crashing trucks, being loud, jumping, and having the time of their life. And I loved every minute of it! I can go as far as saying I felt revived!
Spring is coming, I know I feel it. The weather is changing. It's getting warmer and the sun is shining longer. Spring is a renewal. It's a chance to start fresh and live life for the better. I was renewed a little today with the time I spent with my son and his friends. I was given a chance to be silly and not have a care in the world, even if it was only for 2 hours. I laughed, smiled, and shared.
I was given the best gift of all, and that is the opportunity to enjoy God's gift of today.
