The Innocence of Love

Do you remember what it was like to be an 8-year-old? I do. I was filled with creativity and energy and LOVE. I was unafraid. I woke in the morning and "bounced" out of bed. I believed in magic and miracles and benevolence. I believed in having dreams and that if I had them, they would certainly come true. I knew that I was loved, by everyone. If I doubted someone's affection, I made sure they got to know who I was. In fact, I was down-right friendly. I smiled all the time. What's more, I laughed. I would laugh so hard my belly ached. I would dance. I would stand on my tip toes. I would hum. I would run....as fast as the wind could take me and then fall on my back on the grass and stare at the wondrous sky and imagine I saw rabbits and spaceships and happy ladies' faces in the puffy white clouds. If fear came, it was only at night when I had to lay down alone in the dark and feel separated from the world. I will take that child and bring her into 2007. I will embrace the emotion and the memories. I will love without fear. And, I will live with assurance that I am completely wholly loved and safe. I intend to celebrate that innocence.