The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful.
~ e.e. cummings

 

It was a day of endings and beginnings–

8th Grade Commencement My youngest, last born, always-baby-to-me, celebrating 8th grade commencement; his, both farewell to middle school and long-anticipated entry to high school…

But for me?  Bitter and sweet, a slow crawl in the direction of nest empty.  

So we did what you're supposed to do: celebrate with a bunch of friends, a fun lunch downtown.

Another post-commencement tradition in our area is to end up at Coolidge Park, to me one of Chattanooga's shiniest diamonds.  It's wide open spaces and a river snaking close and a place to dance under animals squirting water…and even dry ones to ride in circles.  

I love it.

On this day my son chose sides and I wasn't on his.  It sounds so harsh written that way, but it was no cruel act of rejection; just the natural course of growing up and tiptoeing out.

So I took my camera and headed in another direction…

and discovered a handful of pixies!

Toddlers splashing in a puddle

One was dressed in rainbows.  Another sprinkled rainbows in her hair.  And Boy Wonder, he dared to paint rainbows on his cheeks!  

 

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Back and forth they galloped, wild stallions Shetland ponies running wild.

 

splashing in puddles

The happiest feet I've ever seen.

 

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Peels of laughter fleeing their lips and floating to the heavens, then bursting and showering delight over the earth.  It was palpable.  And contagious.

Their exuberance held me captive; their joy, intoxicating.

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One of them was a thief.  

She stole my heart.

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Cherubic cheeks…infectious grin…pudgy arms and dimpled legs?

This little creature didn't play fair!

 

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She wasn't so sure about me, though.

 

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Chasing Neverland and learning to fly…
I see their wings, don't you?

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Not long from now they'll leave the nest, too.

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