By Cindy Walker Burton

FaceTiming with my two and four year-old grandsons, River and Reece, is special to me. Their inexhaustible enthusiasm, boundless energy, and genuine wonder captivates and fulfills me. Their “all boy pure joy” and smiles transcend the miles between us.

Do you recall the innocence of childlike wonder? A cardboard box was a rocket ship, a stick was a magic wand, rain puddles were for stomping in, making mud pies was marvelous, catching snowflakes on your tongue was terrific, and going barefoot was bliss.

C’mon and take a ride with me; no reservation or ticket required. All aboard the train to your destination called Inner Child. Remember how summer seemed to last forever? Finding rocks could shift into a rock throwing contest, rocks for your collection, or drawing hopscotch on the driveway. Lying on your front porch staring up at the stars was fascinating. Insects were interesting. Clouds were animals. You could blow bubbles or color for hours. Discovering what toy was in your cereal box or CrackerJacks box was thrilling. Using your imagination and creating something from nothing was typical. The ordinary was extraordinary. As a child you were adventurous, carefree, invincible, and inquisitive. But that childhood train left the station long ago.

Your childhood is gone for good. Can you recapture a remnant of it? Is it possible to evoke those magical memories? Of course you can. You can find your inner child and let him/her come out to play. I did. Here’s what transpired.

I was on my typical daily walk. It was a rainy gray day, colorful leaves were falling silently, and glassy puddles were everywhere. Suddenly, my six year-old inner child whispered, “Those puddles look like fun.” Without hesitating, I shucked off my Nikes and socks, plunging my bare feet into a cold puddle…or two or three. I splashed in the water, mashed my toes in the mud, and cashed in on my childhood. My inner child laughed – and so did I. Cindy Kay played and her worries went away for awhile that day. Hurray!

Friends, your inner child can be summoned to come out and play anytime, anywhere. Splash with it, mash with it. Be inclined to find it and rewind it.