A Fresh Perspective

Last night Matt, Abbie, and I were at the mall buying shoes for her. Real shoes! Big girl shoes! Size five shoes! (“Follow them size fives!”) By the time we were ready to leave, it had begun to rain as it does only in Kentucky; the rain was misty but heavy and would soak through whatever you were wearing in a matter of seconds. Although we weren’t parked too far away, the car was far enough away that we would definitely get very wet if we had to walk to it. So my gallant husband offered to pull the car up while Abbie and I waited outside under the entrance overhang. Now, I like the rain. I just don’t like being IN the rain. While we waited, I was trying to figure out the most efficient way to get Abbie out of the stroller, into the car, pack up the stroller, and get into the car myself while getting the least soaked. Then all of a sudden, I looked down and noticed that Abbie was leaning as far forward in her stroller as she possibly could, with the hugest smile on her face, reaching out trying to touch the rain drops that were falling off the roof. So I suppressed my paranoia about the dirty roof and dirty water, and pushed her stroller out into the rain. She was ecstatic! She giggled hysterically as the drops fell on her hands and arms and probably could have played in the pouring rain for a lot longer had Matt not pulled up a few seconds later. Left to my own devices, I wouldn’t have even considered enjoying the rainy night, but seeing Abbie’s enthusiasm gave me a fresh perspective. That’s one of the best parts of being a parent—getting to see old situations through my daughter’s new eyes.