My Vote is for the Four Year Old

I doubt many of us can remember what it’s like to be four. Most of us can barely remember what took place yesterday, let alone what life was like as a four year old. I’ve determined that four year olds know how to live life to the fullest, though, and that we should all strive to live like a four year old. Four year olds giggle at the silliest things and talk to their food like they are life-long best friends. They dance when they walk and sing when they talk. They make awesome discoveries and are not shy about announcing what they are good at … like walking. Four year olds show quite the concern for people of all ages and demand that hands are to be held in the parking lot so you don’t get ran over (“you don’t want a car to smash you and then you bleed all over”). Four year olds think all turtles are Ninja turtles and that tiny grey mice are “so cute”. They are sweet in showing concern for baby sisters (“Don’t worry, sweetheart. I will always be here for you”) and for vacationing parents (“So how are YOU doing, mommy”). They can take any phrase and repeat it over and over and make it into a song that is sung … over and over (“we are sisters, we don’t know and we don’t care … we are sisters, we don’t know and we don’t care”). They freely toss out well-deserving compliments (“you’re the best, Mimi!”). And at the end of the day, when it’s time for bed, hugs are demanded and whispers of “sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite” are said as eyes are closing and four year old dreams take over. If only we could stay four … or maybe not (as I break up a squabble with a 4 year old and her younger sibling). Oh, to be four.