Moments like these make the world go round

There are some moments in life that stay with you forever. When you have children, those treasured snippets of life are many, but they stay tucked away deep inside your heart and mind so that one day you can look back and remember how precious childhood is.

On Saturday, I went to a BBQ with my family. We've been to this friend's house a few times before, and we always have a good time. I love the laid back feeling of an outdoor gathering in the summertime. Good friends and good food make good memories for all of us.

The day could have been ruined by the dark clouds that threatened the sky. When the storm began, a handful of people packed up and headed for home. The rest of us kicked back under the canopies set up in the yard and watched the rain fall softly on the grass around us. There's something soothing about sitting outside and watching the rain. It's as if the drip-drops of water just wash away all the stress of life. Everything slows down a little and gets washed clean by fat, sweet drops of water.

The kids were too tempted by the cool shower, and kept slipping toward the edges of the canopy. I watched my daughters inch forward until the streams running off the slanted roof were pouring directly onto their small heads. They would giggle and jump back, then start inching forward again. They whispered to each other, heads bent together, causing a hush over the crowd as we all strained to hear what they were saying. Holding hands and grinning mischievously, they ran giggling right out into the middle of the yard, faces turned up toward the sky. They ran in circles for a minute and came back to the cover of the canopy. Crystalline drops of water dripped down their noses and off the ends of their hair, and pure joy shone from their tiny faces.

My husband and I were quietly watching them play, holding hands and smiling at our own memories of playing in the rain as children. I felt a twinge of longing for my own days of carefree abandon, but it was quickly overpowered by the joy of watching my daughters laugh and dance in an afternoon shower. They stopped and bent over next to a tree stump, poking and giggling at something in the grass. When they came running back this time, it was with a bullfrog in tow.

Abby held it gently in both hands, running her funny, wobbly run until they reached the canopy. They were so excited to show us their prize that they forgot to hold on to the frog. He plopped into the wet grass at their feet, and they chased him in circles until Molly got close enough to scoop him up. They took turns passing him back and forth, talking to him and patting him on the head. Abby held him up, right in front of her face, and did something that will be forever imprinted in my memory. Like a tiny princess, she smiled a sweet little smile and kissed the frog right on the nose.

They both giggled, then Molly took the frog and set him carefully on the grass. She leaned over and whispered to him that he should go home to his Mommy and Daddy, then said goodbye. The two of them stood holding hands, watching their new friend hop to freedom. They waved goodbye, then turned to run back into the rain.

Even now, my eyes fill with tears at the beauty of those moments. It takes my breath away to look at my children and see real, unblemished happiness living inside of them. I know that days will come soon enough when they will find disappointment in a rainy day. I know that will certainly not be the last frog that Abby will kiss in her search for her Prince Charming, and I know that it will not always be so easy for Molly to say goodbye. I wish they could know that they should treasure these days, and I pray that one day they will be able to see their own children laughing and catching raindrops on their tongues.