A push for joy
By GO Fellow Sarah Herrera
Swing sets are a joy found within many childhoods, and for a spunky little lady at All In One, this is no exception. The balanse, as she calls it, seemed to have an eternity of playful children awaiting an open spot. I watched her as she waited in my arms, her body tense with anticipation in hopes of snagging a spot for herself, and it truly was a sight to see.
First, I noticed it in her eyes. They were wide and earnest, ready and expecting, hopeful and yet slightly afraid – what if she missed her chance?
Her body language matched her eyes. She was by no means relaxed and content to remain in my arms for the rest of the day, oh no. She was leaning ever so slightly forward, anxious and eager.
It was then that I noticed her rigidity. She was a lioness ready to prance upon her prey and then… SHE DID.
Out of my arms she plopped and ran straight for a swing. It was a yellow one, bright and smiling, and waiting for her. Immediately upon situating herself she looked up to find me and smiled.
“I’m ready,” I could practically hear her say (though instead all I really heard was a loud jabbering of excited gibberish).
“Push me!”
So I pushed her and she laughed, and laughed, and laughed. If ever I slowed, she quickly turned around to correct my speed. If ever I got distracted, she was ready to readjust my attention. She was on a swing and she was happy and she was serious. It was a great day for her. We spent the afternoon like that, some swinging, some pushing, some distractions, and some correcting. She sat on her swing and she was satisfied . . . and I just couldn’t stop smiling at her smiles.
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