In the Eyes of a Child

"Lydia's Toes"
May 12, 2009















"Care Bear Line-Up"
May 12, 2009





















"Lovey"
May 12, 2009

A few days ago, I let Lydia take pictures using our digital camera. Within a few minutes, she had captured a wealth of images, encompassing a portrait of her favorite stuffed animals, her feet and blurred images featuring parts of people's faces and bodies. I am posting three of the top images, after having deleted anything blurry, too obscure or just embarrassing. The first is of Abigail's lovey. When Abigail rubs her eyes, squeaks out a cry or hurts herself, Lydia runs to grab a lovey. This picture beautifully captures the essence of the lovey, which is almost always left on the floor. It is both comforter and a great mop when Abigail crawls over the tile floor with it. I love how Lydia's toes just frame the bottom of the picture because she is the one who scouts out the loveys each time it they are needed (I say they because we have collected three, just to be safe. When she is feeling particularly magnanimous, Lydia will gather up all three and pour them into Abigail's arms like a bouquet of freshly cut roses. Abigail responds with a big smile, then a face plant into all three of her loveys).

The line-up of Lydia's care bears actually initiated the whole digital camera escapade through the house. One or two of them maintain a constant spot on her bed (or rather, in the space between her bed and the wall). One of her care bears has been lost for several months, and that, from time to time, has been the subject of much anguish. What's not to love, when you've got a name like Share-a-Lot, Tenderheart or Love-a-Lot?

I love my babies' toes. Whether they're 11 months or 4 1/2, their little feet are just chubby and cute. I can just imagine Lydia sitting on the tile floor of the kitchen with her legs stretched out in front of her, peering through the camera lens at her feet.

On days like today, when tiredness from the week's activities and evaluation prep weighs on me, it's good for my heart to remember the simple things. To see life through my children's eyes, to remember that joy and wonder can come from the smallest things, like little toes, a small piece of fabric, a favorite toy. Then, I remember how blessed I really am.