I didn't know where to put this, so I will put it here and if it is moved then so be it.

I spent part of my day today with a two year old boy named Brayden. He is not related to me. He is the Grandson of the Pastor at my Mom and Dad's church. What you should know about this boy is that his life, his so very young two year existence on this planet, he has had to deal with things that most adults would have difficulty going through.

Just after his first birthday, he, his sister, and their Mother were driving home. They were driving in a rainstorm and the car they were all in crashed because the car hydroplaned on the interstate. Brayden suffered a serious leg injury. His sister, Brenna, came out unscathed. However, their mother would lose her life in this crash.

As I watched him today, played toys with him, and laughed and giggled with him, I couldn't help but think how strong this little boy is. He is so sweet, and loving. He didn't know me very well, and yet he took to me like he had known me a long time. Today, a year later, he is just about walking normal when the doctor's thought he might ever be able to do it.

Anyways, as I spent time with him today, I couldn't help but feel bad about some things that have had me scared....mostly going back to school. Cause here is this little boy who has fought through so much. And to look at him, you would never know it. I honestly believe that spending time with Brayden today was more of a blessing for me, because he made me laugh at the simple, silly things that have me troubled. Thing is, Brayden won't get paid for helping me today. In fact, he has no idea he did. What is amazing though is that, when all of us were kids, we used to live life without fear. Without over thinking things. Kids, like Brayden, just tackle life and move on. Funny how much we change as we grow up isn't it?

I just thought I would share this with those of you who read it. Maybe you can relate to it. Or maybe not. I just thought I would share it with you guys. Goof out!

wow!!!!!!!!!!!! now that is attractive!!!!!!!!!!!! what a mind you have! hugs!!!!!!

Great story, Goof. Thanks for reminding us how much we can learn about ourselves just from watching the innocent spirit of a child

Children are amazing! They come to us without agenda and have much to teach us if we pay attention.

You are clearly a man who pays attention. What a beautiful thing ... and a beautiful story to share.

Thank you

It truly is amazing how life is viewed through a child's eyes. We played with toys, watched Nick Jr., and he even helped me work on my parents computer (he sat amazed as I was working on it. He handed me tools and kept asking "What's that?")

Being with him, and remembering what he has been through, it just made me see life through his eyes. If that makes sense.

Thanks Charles for sharing that.

Ya know, Artgurl just said it there, WE have much to learn from children if we pay full attention. I don't know how many times I have posted this and been shut down.....Sherrie gets it. So do a few others here..
Children have access to knowledge we have forgotten, they live in the moment, they are pure love..then adults actually think they have some given right because they conceived them, feed them ,housed them to treat them as 'less'. Then their spirits are cracked and they grow up to become....well us.

God bless this little boy

"Your children are not your children, they are life longing for itself,
they come through you but not from you, you may house their bodies but not their souls, for their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow which you can not visit..not even in your dreams. Seek not to make them like you, seek to be like them. For life moves not backwards nor tarries for yesterday...."

Kahlil Gibran - The Prophet

What an inspiration!

3 days ago, sat with 2 little girls and we picked out animals from the clouds. The thing is to allow the child in you to stay alive. Children live in the moment only. There is no past, no future, so zen.
Technology is taking that away from children.
One of the girls, 3 weeks ago, had a tshirt on, that looked like a bustier, black lace. Who bought that for a ten year old child? Let them live their childhood; hopefully, we never fully grow out of it. Great lesson for ya Goof, keep it fresh, don't worry about what others think when you want to let your child out to play, allow him!

a great story, we all learn from each other


ignorance is truly bliss for children though,, sometimes I wish I didnt know and comprehend the things being an adult requires me too, but growing up is better than the alternative even if we loose some of that blissful ignorance of anything but playing eating and sleeping,,lol

I truly believe the statement, "what doesn't kill you, will only make you stronger". Children are so resilient. We surely could learn a lot from them if we give them the chance.

Awesome story... thanks for sharing it with us.

More evidence that we adults (me) think/analyze chit too much.

Great story

****Blessings****they are powerful.

God works in mysterious ways....

That is a beautiful story. Things like that happen on a daily basis in life for people It's just a matter of whether we can see it or not.

What a wonderful story. Thanks so much for sharing. Have you ever noticed how kids are so unself-aware? I love the way they break into spontanious song and dance whenever they feel like it. It makes me think we should be more like them. Living in the joy of the moment. Imagine if we did? how much fun would that be!!

People can do a lot more than they ever thought they could UNTIL someone tells 'em they 'can't do that' ... listen to yourself and don't worry about what y' 'can't' do ...

Goof your were just blessed for if only a day or a few hours you got to see through a child's eyes. To bad we all grow older and forget that innocence and how the world looks...


Sweet story............thanks for sharing...


It is post like this that makes me see that there is a deeper side to others they just forget to show it.....

Thing is, I am a kid at heart. I honestly never care what others think of me. Hell, my cousins Jerrod and Josh (9 and 7) asked me how old I was the other day. I told them 37, and they were like, "You act like a kid!" Little bastards. I love em.