You know what's beautiful...

Today, Kayla and I were driving on a road that parallels the Thames River. She stopped whatever she had been saying, because in truth I was only half listening, and said, "Mommy, you know what's beautiful?" I said, "You are!" and then she said, with such seriousness and thoughtfulness you would have assumed she was much older, "No Mommy, the water is beautiful. I love living at the water." And there you have it, the simplicity of the world through a three year old eyes. And the more amazing piece of this is that I feel precisely the same way, always have. Growing up in a coastal town where you can taste the salt coming off the water if the wind happens to blow right, its always been such a blessing to me. Water is a great source of comfort and peace to me, instilled in me since my earliest days. And apparently, instilled in Kayla too. I am so glad that wordlessly, effortlessly, my love of the water, my appreciation for it, its beauty, all that is, has been passed onto her. I am so grateful to be raising my child in the town I grew up in, so close to all the things that have defined my life, my memories. We drove to Bluff Point today, and just sat and looked and talked. I can't wait for the better weather, and her on her bike, taking the trails. I want her to know the places that have meant something to me, for us to share the universal experience of this place. It may be a miserable town at times, but its our town! The roots of our family run deep here, and I am so thankful she will always know that. And even more thankful she is recognizing that as she gets older.