My niece and my daughter - both kindergarteners - were bent over a desert plant, enchanted by bunches of bright wildflowers.
Not on purpose, I had walked up quietly and their conversation went on - undisturbed by an adult's presence. They were making plans for something - an afternoon at the grandparent's house or a shared errand to go on.
My niece, brown hair falling down her back and cheeks rosy from hiking, was saying, "...your mom almost always says yes." Nonchalantly and cheerfully, she stated the fact with admiration.
I smiled because that's exactly how I want my young children (and the children dear to me) to see me - a person who says YES. Yes to splashing in the puddles. Yes to rolling peanut butter balls. Yes to impromptu invitations. Yes to fingerpainting and surprise trips to the ice cream shop and reading "just one more chapter."
I say plenty of no's (and there will be plenty more) - but I hope and pray that I will say YES enough that they will remember me as ready to jump in with both feet. Despite the mess. Despite the inconveniences. Despite the tiredness.
YES - let's go on adventures.
