The Best Things in Life are Free

The poem came to me most casually as “just another homework assignment” along with some other papers, handed over by one of my beautiful daughters.  How could this 14 year old child know when she wrote it that the print out would be taped to the inside of my medicine cabinet mirror for years to come… or that seeing it each morning would be my sound inspiration to tackle the day with my head held high and expectations of wonder to come?  Or that in my darkest hours, it pushed me out the door to face what might be the turning point I was seeking….

The words speak to me of choice … to be happy and carefree, to know there is joy to find in the moments that lie ahead.  The poem also speaks of resilience – persistence in attitude – perseverance - and survival.

A Little Girl’s Dream 

Dancing in doorways

Running through raindrops

Cartwheels down pathway

And trails of gumdrops

A little girl’s dream

A realm all her own

Her beady eyes beam

As she sits on her throne

Fear and despair

Unknown to her kind

She laughs through the wars

And ignores all the horrors

Of poverty, destruction and murder.

A little girl left to dream of her own

Reflecting a world of

Dancing in doorways

Running through raindrops

Cartwheeling down pathways

And trails of gumdrops

-          C. m. b.-

A simple Face Book post came through my feed when this same daughter was away at college –  She wrote, “Went to the beach today – the best things in life are free J”

Wow – I realized that I am surrounded by people each week in their 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond that totally do not get that!  This young woman did at age 20!  Despite the pressures of classes and part time jobs, bills to pay and mounting loans… “The best things are FREE”!  She understood that you can’t put a price on hearing waterfalls, seeing moonbeams or feeling the cool breeze on the morning of a hot summer day….

“Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus…”

“… and the best things in Life are Free….”        J