Good Evening, Moon

Monday, I picked Ben up from day care. These days, I don't carry him out to the car--oh, no. He can walk by himself, thank you very much.

Now that the time has changed, the evening was getting dark, with the crescent moon rising over the treetops. I pointed it out to Ben, and his eyes got wide and he reached up to it, saying, "Moon!" He took himself down the steps one by one, carefully holding on to my hand and saying "Step...step....step...." When we got to our car, he ignored it, climbed up the curb, and started walking across a grassy hill.

Since the evening was beautiful, I followed. "Moon!" he said again, reaching up.

I watched Ben and marveled at the confidence and self-assurance he has developed over the past few months. He integrates new people and objects and places into his world with ease. I wonder how long he'll be able to keep his toddler fearlessness. I admire his determination and certainty, but I know that he will need to learn restraint and wisdom; otherwise, he will run out into traffic while chasing after the moon.

Before he could run down the steep hill and into the road, I scooped him up and gave him a kiss, then took him back to the car. As we went home, I could hear him in the back seat saying, "Moon...moon...."

Photo by curiouskiwi on flickr.com.