I took my children to the park today, but instead of sitting on the bench watching everyone interact, I decided to participate. I yelled, “Follow the leader!” and observed my children scramble into a line. I took the end position, determined to keep up and not be left behind in their dust. When my turn came up, I smiled wickedly at the kids and said, “Now let’s see if everyone can keep up with me!” I turned back around and ran. I grabbed a pole and swung my agile body around it (okay, I tried). I ran up a slide and down another. I sped up a hill, plopped my butt down and rolled. Yes, my ten-year-old soul and my forty-one-year old body were rolling down the slope at warp speed. I heard screaming and laughing (not coming from me) as I came to a dusty stop. I immediately jumped up. Foolish, foolish girl! I have never been so dizzy in my life! Oh yeah, and nauseas. When will I ever learn to act my age? Okay…never.
As I take stock of my scruffed elbows and knees and my aches and pains that weren’t there before the infamous roll, I wonder—was it worth it? A resounding “yes!” would be my answer, and I would do it again in a heartbeat with no attention paid to my achy body. Live in the present. Love, laugh and enjoy life to the fullest.
