My inner 12-year-old

We all have an inner child hidden somewhere inside of us.  As a newer mom, mine comes out sometimes in playing with my daughter.  Looking through her eyes, I see joy and laughter in what were once mundane tasks.  However, sometimes 12-year-old Stacey comes creeping out when I least expect her.

Last week, for example, I was away (hence the missing blog post) for a few days in Tennessee with my parents.  My husband had a conference in California, so Lexiana and I packed up and headed south to a favorite vacation spot with my folks.  I didn’t necessarily expect 12-year-old me to make an appearance, but she did.

I had almost forgotten that my parents can also bring out the inner child in me as well, though in a different way.  As I took care of my daughter, I noticed how my mom was taking care of me, even in small ways.  For example, one of the times we were eating out, I was so focused on getting Lexiana settled and started on her food that I didn’t pay much attention to my own stuff.  I absentmindedly took a sip of my water and realized I had a straw in my cup that I hadn’t placed there.  My mom had done it for me.  I giggled and appreciated it all at once.

My daughter in Tennessee ready to go swimming.

Later in the week I got the bright idea to back the boat down the ramp for the first time in my life when we were going out on the lake.  I figured with few other people around it couldn’t be that hard.  My dad patiently stood beside his brand-new truck and gave me instructions and reassurance as I bungled the task.  I felt 12 yet again.

And while feeling 12 around one’s parents isn’t always a good thing, these instances were good reminders to me of where I’ve come from and that I can still trust them.  I was ready to leap out of the truck pulling my mom and baby with me as I got frustrated backing down the ramp, but listening to my dad telling me I was doing alright and we were fine was enough reassurance for me.

I suppose I’m humbled that at my age, I can still learn from my parents.  I guess at the end of the day, whether I feel like a 12-year-old, a 31-year-old or even a 60-year-old, knowing that I will always continue learning and living is what matters most.