Lessons From a One Year Old

She runs outside with the greatest of glee,
Taking off in her pink foam sandles, pink shirt and just her diaper,
thrilled to feel the warm evening air on her skin and being free to explore without the confines of a stroller.
She wanders along the road's edge and examines a brick,
She looks at some weeds and picks off the leaves and laughs.
We carry on meandering down the road, happy for a quiet street and an empty house
as she finds the ramp on the vacant house and runs up and down it, squealing with joy.
We stop again in front of another house that has reflectors at the end of the driveway
that sparkle like huge red lollipops and she actually bends down, touches one and licks it,
and I can't help but laugh while cringing at the dirt.
Pinecones are stepped on for their crunch, different leaves are examined, felt, and picked,
and she does a little dance and spins around, so happy.
I notice more on these walks, resist the urge to hurry her along, and appreciate the scent of flowers,
mown grass and spring.
For awhile time has slowed and she teaches me the beauty of a simple, warm spring night.