watch me, daddy

playing on the swings in an ordinary church yard. really a simple get-up, a few swings, a wooden structure, and a plastic slide. but to a two-year-old, a glimpse of heaven itself. we tried all the swings. picked up some rocks – smooth, shiny, red, clear. lined the rocks up on the wooden ledge, went down the slide. but the greatest feat of all – the “wadder.” the first couple of tries, i helped her. this foot first; now use this hand; grab this handle; big girl! not too much time and she got it. i only had to help her a little. went down the slide again. played with some rocks. and then daddy came. “watch me, daddy.” how sweet those words sound from a mouth of innocence, a face overwhelmed with joy. “i cwimb the wadder.” mommy and daddy watch. she climbs; and climbs; one foot then the other; grabs the handles; pulls herself up; she’s made it. all by herself. with daddy watching. amazing. a little girl’s desire to show her daddy what she can do. a daddy’s smile when he learns that’s the first time she’s climbed all by herself. a mommy’s satisfaction that this, indeed, is a moment to remember.