Perhaps you have heard it on the national news. Well it really is true. Over the past several days, the northeast has been subjected to nearly non-stop rainfall. I mean downpours. I mean drenching rain falling in buckets for so long that you have to look toward the sky and wonder just how in the world so much water could come from one place. The incessant pounding of water on the roof and windows has become standard background noise and outdoor play has been out of the question.
All things considered, we are faring rather well. Many of our nearby New Hampshire and Massachusetts residents have suffered terrible flooding, but so far, our little town has yet to slog off into the nearby lake. We are surely soggy, though. And the kids are antsy. We have been doing lots of reading and extra movie watching, and I have been forced to relax my rather rigid rules about playing ball in the house.
Some good things are coming out of our confinement, however. Last evening, Ambrose’s boredom led him to a bout of creativity. I was sitting in the living room with Gabrielle and the baby, reading some favorite board books before bedtime when he arrived with a pile of blankets and an armful of puppets. He announced that we were going to be entertained. He draped the blankets over two chairs. Then, with puppets in hand, he hid himself behind the “stage” and the show began.
The story was lengthy and quite dramatic. There was a good little dog. And a bad big dog. There was a bear and a clown and a monkey and a hero rabbit who, after much conflict and battle, eventually saved the day. At the end, we applauded his efforts and Ambrose, the puppeteer, emerged to take a bow.
Thank you God for 7 year old boys who remain unafraid to play pretend and explore their creative potential. Thank you for 7 year old boys who find pleasure in entertaining their smaller siblings and their mothers. Thank you for 7 year old boys who are sweetly innocent and cute without even knowing it. Thank you God for this boy.