Children make a big deal out of small things. At least they seem small to us. Small children will seem to throw a universe size tantrum when they do not get what they want, or when you cut their sandwich wrong. My three year old will refuse to eat unless every inch of the bottom of the bowl is covered. No empty spaces for her. As adults we may also end up throwing our own fits out of what we think are also big things. We have to consciously evaluate the importance of things in our life or we will fret over everything. Does any of us really want that? I hope no. I do not.

When it began to rain around here I decided to take a different approach to the rain storm. I had my camera out and decided to seize the opportunity to practice some rain shots. It rains so little here that this could turn into my first real opportunity. Granted, it really was a huge storm as it dumped three inches onto a very dry ground that ultimately caused some pretty intense flash floods in the area. However, I did not know that at the time, and by golly I was going to enjoy that rain.

I sat on the threshold of my doorway taking pictures and just watching the rain. My two youngest children joined me. Climbing on  me and enjoying watching how fast the rain was falling. Before long the rain began to come inside. Nothing like a little wind. So, we went to the back door. Just outside the back door is the carport. My girls took full advantage of the cover and the rain puddles.

It was raining and my children were playing in puddles. Yup, you got that right. I could have freaked out. I could have reprimanded them. I could have done a number of things to bring them inside and prevent them from getting wet. I did not. Why? Why would do such a horrible thing to my children? Well, who said it was horrible? Not me. Granted, I was tempted to scold them and tell them to not get wet. In fact, I think the words actually started coming out of my mouth before I stopped myself. There was no need to stop them. They were safe under the carport playing in the water that was  pooling up near the door. For several minutes they played. In fact, those several minutes may have been close to forty-five. They were happy, and I was happy that they were happy-and safe.

Following their play in the water I cleaned and dried them off. The rain had ended just as quickly as it had started. The skies cleared and they wanted to take a walk. Ok. Nothing like a walk in the nice clean air. So, we went on a walk. It did not take long for the youngest to find a series of large puddles. I attempted to stop her, to fret about her getting wet again, again. To fret about where we were not going. Other than a kid getting wet there was absolutely no real reason to fret. I thus stopped myself from preventing the inevitable. I let her go, dress and all. Before long her sister timidly joined her, in her dress. They ran threw those puddles, splashed, and laughed. I ran around keeping them in the puddle and away from the street. I had fun. They had fun. I am left wondering why I did not join them in the puddle. What would have been wrong with that?  Why was I so afraid to be like a child? Food for thought for anyone who frets over little things.

Little things seem big to children and adults alike. Just as the little things may cause us to freak out, so will little things be great things. Great adventures are found in little things that we decide to not fret about. We get the opportunity every day to enjoy life, in some way. As a parent I do not have time to waste. My children are in my life for so short a time. They are young for even less than that. The last thing I want to do is look back and only remember myself freaking out over little things. I want my children to grow up appreciating the little things that bring joy-the things I do not freak out about.

Published by Jenny Eddington