If I had one wish...

I was listening to The Greatest by Kenny Rogers in the car today. It is a song about a little boy playing baseball out in the field by himself before dinner.

The song starts me thinking about how little kids always think they are the best. If it isn't hitting, then it must be pitching. They are perfect, they are loved, and they are treasured. When they are little, we tell them this all the time AND they listen to US. I decided at this moment that if I was given just one wish, my wish would be that my kids could keep that feeling for all their life. What would happen if the world didn't tell them they aren't good enough? What could they accomplish?

I am certainly not wishing that they never had any trouble in their life. I certainly know from experience that sometimes things that are uncomfortable or unpleasant lead to you to something better in the end. I just sure wish they would be able to see that they are good enough and they should never give up their dreams.

But as so often happens, as I sit in the car getting all philosophical, my youngest looks at me and asks "Mom, do you know why they call them popsicles?" Popsicles, eh? No idea. So I ask "No. Why do they call them popsicles?"

And she begins her explanation...well you see, they are "so cold" and they sometimes go "pop." So they are pop-so-colds. Well they have a stick too, so pop-stick-colds.

At this moment I want to amend my one wish...can I please just remember how they saw the world when they were 4?

Lyrics for The Greatest by Kenny Rogers:
Little boy, in a baseball hat,
Stands in a field, with his ball and bat,
says "I am the greatest, player of them all"
puts his bat on his shoulder, and tosses up his ball.

And the ball goes up, and the ball comes down,
he swings his bat all the way around,
and the worlds so still you can hear the sound
as the baseball falls, to the ground.

Now the little boy, doesn't say a word,
picks up his ball, he is undeterred,
Says "I am the greatest, there has ever been,"
and he grits his teeth, and tries it again.

And the ball goes up, and the ball comes down,
he swings his bat all the way around,
and the worlds so still you can hear the sound
as the baseball falls, to the ground.

He makes no excuses, He shows no fear,
He just closes his eyes, and listens to the cheers.

Little boy, he adjusts his hat
picks up his ball, stares at his bat,
says "I am the greatest, the game is on the line,"
and he gives his all, one last time.

And the ball goes up, like the moon so bright,
Swings his bat, with all his might,
and the worlds as still, as still as can be,
and the baseball falls, and that's strike three.

Now its supper time, and his Mama calls,
little boy starts home, with his bat and ball,
says "I am the greatest, that is a fact,
but even I didn't know, I could pitch like that."

Says, "I am the greatest, that is understood,
but even I didn't know, I could pitch that good."