Reverb10: Day 3

December 3 � Moment. Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year. Describe it in vivid detail (texture, smells, voices, noises, colors). (Author: Ali Edwards)

The moments that make me feel most alive are when I can get down on the floor and play with my son.  Getting down on his level, acting like a kid and being silly make me feel young inside...even though I might need a little extra time to get myself back up off the floor than I use to. 

One of our favorite games to play involves me being the jungle gym for Ian.  He climbs all over me: walking on my back, using my bended legs as a slide, or riding around on my back like I was a horse.  I might need a hot shower and some Motrin to get over these play times but my heart soars to get playing with my son, and being the one to make him giggle.

I will get down on the floor, laying on my stomach to entice Ian to some and play.  He usually takes a few moments to realize that I am willing to be his play buddy and then he wastes so time climbing up on my back.  After a little while of just climbing and rolling over me, Ian will usually sit on my back.  This is the point when I carefully get up on to my hands and knees and nay like a horse before taking off at a very slow and slightly painful speed across the room.  Ian clings to my shirt and begins to slide off to one side, because he doesn't know how to grip with his legs, giggling all the while.

Once I have just about had it being Ian's noble steed, I drop to the ground and when Ian bounces away I roll onto my back and lift my knees so my feet are flat on the ground.  While I recover Ian climbs up and scoots down my legs as if they were a slide. 

When I can't take anymore, and my knees are beginning to swell, I sit up and Ian tries with all his might to push me back down again to play some more.  His toddler stamina is far better than my 30-something self can handle.  I might be in a bit of pain from his knees, elbows and heels but I am smiling and happy inside. 

There is nothing better than the sound of a child laughing.