The local research hospital where I go for all of my medical needs has free valet parking. The waiting area for the people who were waiting for their cars was quite full today after my 10 am appointment. As I entered the waiting area, two little girls caught my eye because they were wearing fleece pullovers in twenty-degree weather without hats, gloves, or overcoats. Their mother seemed kind enough, young and proud and attentive. I remember a comedian once saying that children are like little heaters, so I figured these girls' energy must be keeping them from noticing the cold.
The younger girl looked just like her mother, blonde and petite and a little like the Swiss Miss girl. Her sister had brown hair but otherwise looked just like the other two. They were chattering away in their little girl ways and goofing around with little games like, "This is MY mommy!" where they took turns hugging Mommy. The younger girl began to hop around and laugh at her own antics when the older girl blurted out, "Let's jump!"
They lined themselves up next to each other, then hopped to the side of the room, then hopped back to Mommy. The woman did not stop them or corral them to her side but instead smiled as they hopped back and forth across the floor. Smart woman, I thought, to let them use up all that energy. Someone asked their ages - 4 and 5 was the answer - and the girls continued to hop around like, no kidding, little rabbits. They were delightful to watch. All I could think was how nice it must be to have fun hopping around the floor with no particular goal, no rules for a game, no reason at all except for fun.
Sometimes, when no one is looking, I'll hop in the air and click my heels together. I get it. Maybe I just need to do it more.
