childlike joy

This morning, I sit at the kitchen table of the family that I have had the privilege to nanny for this summer.  There have definitely been ups and downs, and moments when I come home at the end of the day and ask my mom, "I was never THAT bad!" and she assures me that my brothers and I were after I recall the hilarious and frustrating moments of my work day.  Today, the two youngest kids I watch decided we needed to have a war with their blow up bats they got this weekend at a carnival.  As I chased them in and out of the house there was complete, unaltered joy that came billowing from their voices as they screamed and laughed running down the hallways and stairs.  I know I'm not that old but as I continue to get older, I feel like sometimes I stop allowing these moments to happen -- the 5 or 10 minute moments when I laugh and scream and just experience life without constantly thinking about what is the next thing on my to-do list or another responsibility down the road that I know is lurking around waiting for me.  I was reminded this morning through laughter and screams of joy that I need to continue to allow for the moments of childlike joy during each day because they allow us to truly appreciate life!