We’ve all been feeling a little cooped up lately....

November 7, 2011

We’ve all been feeling a little cooped up lately. I’ve said it a thousand different ways, but the single most effective way to get us out of a funk is to find a big patch of open land and just let loose. Everly sees no boundaries and it seems that in our daily routine we are often trying to reel her in, pull her back, and keep her between the lines (usually for the sake of her own safety)

This dove of ours has such an adventurous spirit. She’s not one to tuck up under our arms or be at our heels looking for reassurance. She knows where she is going, and usually it’s towards the tallest tree, the widest field, the loudest crowd. It’s something I admire so much about her.

So often we have to be at heightened level of awareness as we tiptoe the boundary between letting her follow her wandering heart and protecting her from dangers she is unaware of. Sometimes It feels good to unbuckle her from our grasp and just watch her go. Despite my best efforts with my inquisitive toddler, I find myself saying No or Don’t do that - so I relish the times when I can freely say yes and have at it.

Yesterday afternoon Brent started to teach Everly how to do a cartwheel. We collected acorns and called out the names of all the rainbow colored leaves at our feet. Arlo chewed on his socks , he turned his head towards the sound of his sister’s laughter and tolerated a dozen runny nose kisses from her too.

We all breathed deeply and for an hour we were free from the things that usually contain us. The routine, the responsibility, the rules. It was just us and the trees and the words yes yes, have at it floating over the hills.

Love,

All photos taken on the Olympus E-PL1 with no post-editing.