Day 12 of #btbc16
Slice of Life #sol16
She could almost touch the clouds. They were big and fluffy, like balls of cotton stretched out by the wind that was pulling them along. She sat up there on her rock, pride filling her. Proud of her climbing skills. Proud she had done it on her own, and now she was able to see the world from above. It was big and beautiful from up there. In her mind, she was a lioness straight from the Lion King.
She climbed down from her mountain, and played like a normal kid at the park. No longer a lion cub, on Pride Rock, but now a 6 year old at the park with her family. She went from monkey bars, to slides, to swings, laughing with joy and sometimes crying in frustration. The sun was so bright she had to swing on her tummy to avoid it's brilliance. She had to wait patiently (or not so patiently) for children to cross the monkey bars so that it would be her turn again. Sliding down the slides with her brother, then racing back up again. Park life on a summer day...
It was then time to leave, and she wanted one last climb up Pride Rock. She invited her Dad to join her, and they climbed confidently up the mountain and took their spot in the sun. Her brother wanted to join them, too. He ambled quickly up the rock, afraid of being left behind, to assume his position at their side. Somehow, an elbow made contact with an eye, and by the time the camera was up for a picture of my lions the tears had started to fall. They splashed down her face like a river would on the savanna itself, wild and salty and hot. Her hand went up to protect her eye from the bright sun, which now caused her pain. The pride she felt about climbing was soon replaced by the hurt of being a kid. Accidents happen, and happiness quickly turns to agony.
Fortunately, her pride of lions took care of her. Dad, putting his arm around her in comfort. Brother, keeping his offending elbow far from her face. Mom, googling "elbow to the eye" on her phone and getting her to the shade. Her pride took care of her, whether she was a true lion or not. After a while, she could once again join her brother at the park. Our little lioness was ready to roar once again, perhaps with a little more caution on the savanna this time.
I love your focus on your little lioness for your Slice of Life today, Leah. I've been thinking a lot about paying attention to what we pay attention to because that is our writing voice - our speciality in what we write about (says Jen Louden). You have so brilliantly here paid detailed attention to your daughter's experience at the park. What a gift you are leaving for her.
ReplyDeleteA picture says 1000 words, but your words are a far more beautiful description of a time hiking than I would have ever put together. What a gift this post is, for your kiddo, for your family, for us, your blogging tribe.
ReplyDeleteI love your description of this "slice of life." It is so beautifully rendered. I can see your daughter at the park and the lions on the savannah. What a wonderful way to express this experience.
ReplyDeleteYou sure caught the depth of your daughter's imagination that day! Very descriptive! I was visualizing it all in my mind! :)
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