We went the other evening to pick out our Christmas tree. It was there, in the lot of pre-cut trees with fake frosting that it dawned on me: Hooper is growing up. And fast. I watched as he weaved in and out of the aisles, hiding quickly behind one tree and then behind the next, popping out every now and again to say “boo” with the sneakiest little smirk on his face. It seems like just yesterday that I was swooning over his pitter patter. Pitter patter; you know, the sound toddlers make when they’re running. Only they don’t run so much as they gallop and they practically lose all self control with each step as if they’re running down hill only there is no hill, only a hallway.

I had Van in the front carrier and my camera, eager to catch every significant and insignificant moment, slung over my shoulder. I called out to Hooper every now and again to remind him that I was close by. Only he didn’t care. He was one amongst the Christmas trees. Every now and again, he’d pop out only run away once again. And I watched as he ran. And there was no pitter patter. Instead there was a well executed stride. Quick, deliberate, coordinated steps in quick succession. He was like an arrow darting away from me. I suppose that is how life will be from this point forward.

Side note: I saw someone on instagram post this quote from Gandhi and it’s been in my head ever since: “You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.”

My thoughts are with everyone in this time of sorrow.