Innocence

This evening, while I was working on my laptop, Benjamin was busy. He was running around, picking up whatever caught his attention, babbling in his own language, showing me things that he found and explaining what he thought.

As I watched him, I saw something that is vitally precious, especially in this world...Innocence. I don't know how much longer this will last before he is tainted by all the influences around him. They include television, other kids at daycare, things he may observe as we are out and about, and anything else.


When he is in his stroller, he is constantly looking around, pointing at things he finds interesting. He will whine when he wants a drink or attention. He is unaware of the dangers that lurk about; whether it is the chance of being hit by a drunk driver, injured from a crazed gunman, a carcinogen inhaled from toxic air, the list can go on.

As he eats, there is no concern about the mess he makes on his face, on his clothes, how sticky his hands are getting or if he could be hungry later because he didn't eat enough. He is simply involved in how it stimulates his senses.

This is my Father's Day card he helped make at daycare. He remembers gluing the little spots on the lady bug because he tried to peel them off. He didn't understand what this was, who it was for, or what it represents. But, he was excited to show us and point at it.

This is Benjamin's world. It consists of crackers that end up mostly on the carpet, toys that are fun to pull, push, taste, throw and take from where they're stored. It is laughing at simple things, like dribbling his ball or bouncing it off of the wall. It is dancing around at the sound of music. It is running to hug mom's leg, standing at the refrigerator and pulling things out that he can hold.

No matter, his world is one of innocence; a clear conscience, free and happy. I cherish this time of his life because it is so refreshing, something that money cannot buy.