Running Through Sprinklers

"Mom! Come run through the sprinkler with me!" he called. I was sitting on the deck, watching him cool off after a very hot football practice. "No, hon! Mommy doesn't want to get wet!" I said. With that voice that tugs your heartstrings that only a your own child can do, "Please?? Mommy, PLEASE?" "No!" I said almost too sternly. "I really don't want to get wet!"

I watched him running through the sprinkler, being drawn back to my own childhood. Even though at his age I lived near a lake, on those days that we couldn't get there my friends and I would put the sprinkler on full blast in the yard. We would have contests to see who could jump through the water without getting wet (somehow, no one ever won that contest). We would race around the yard, squealing with glee each time the sprinkler got us. It probably wasn't that long, but as a child it seemed like forever that we played in that sprinkler.

I found myself smiling, thinking of those carefree childhood days. I could remember the smell of the grass and the taste of the cool water coming out of the hose. Why is it that when you're a child, the water coming out of the hose always tasted the best? I found myself envious that he could have so much fun with such a simple thing.

I found myself running into the yard and racing my son through the sprinkler. Dressed in cargo capris and a tank top, I raced him back and forth across our yard. We were soaked and laughing and having the time of our life.

Alanis Morrisette once sang, "I recommend walking around naked in your living room." Great advice. But you know what? I recommend running through the sprinkler with your kids for an afternoon.