This probably comes as no surprise to fathers who have already gone through a pregnancy but I was surprised to find my self tying my wife’s shoes the other day. Why? Because she couldn’t do it herself. Her pregnant belly crashes into her thighs and her breasts crash into her belly. Reaching her toes in any comfortable way is simply impossible and so she requires someone else to tie her shoes.
It was impossible for me to not think of doing this for our son at some point in the future and I have to admit I chuckled a little bit when the thought struck me. My wife’s decreasing flexibility due to our child was creating situations which would mirror future events with our child. In addition, my wife’s decree of the stupidity of “velcro” shoes left no room in the matter for me to imagine our child simply “tugging and pressing” his own shoes closed. Our son would need to have his shoes tied.
This also (inevitably) reminded me of a healthy dose of rhymes and riddles describing the fluid movement of the laces all the way through their eventual knotting in a bow. Rabbits, trees, and holes came to mind. Fluffy tails and bouncing chases in magical worlds re-entered my imagination. Somehow, despite my involvement in the theatre, I had moved these simple tools from childhood somewhere in the back of my mind.
Suddenly I remembered simple illustrations accompanied by fantastic stories. I laughed at having forgotten how much I enjoy fairy tales. I remembered my parents stumbling over the complexly imagined language of Dr. Seuss. How, I wondered, had I forgotten these things. How had I suppressed the big dreams and bright colors of childhood in my adult life?
If there was any doubt about children keeping me young those doubts are now gone. I’m excited to return to happily ever after in lands far far away and long long ago. I’m looking forward to marveling at huge events like first steps, new teeth, and lost teeth. The excitement that can be held within a single ice cube or a lonely piece of cereal on a high chair.
Bring it on, Childhood!
I’ve been waiting for you.