in the evenings

Thanks to my little girl, I'm going out pretty much every day, regardless of the heat or humidity. No matter how hot I feel, she doesn't feel it and she just loves going outside every evening. It's been such a refreshing experience to see it from her eyes, the fascination, the exuberance, the absolute joy at the prospect of being outdoors. If we didn't live in such a harsh climate, we would have been able to spend so much more time outside.

Sometimes, I feel that we haven't done her right, but what to do, this is life, jobs dictate where one lives, not quality of life for children. That's not the way we grew up, with gardens at our doorstep, with fruit trees all around, plucking litchis and loquat's and eating them right there, standing under the trees, learning how to ride a bicycle on the long driveway, climbing trees, hunting for cocoons, wading through seasonal monsoon streams and so much more. It was a magical time and place. Safety wasn't an issue like it is now. We could ride our bikes across town without our parents worrying about us.

No matter what I do, there's no way I can match what I can offer my daughter, to the kind of childhood I had. Most times I don't think about it too much, for when I do, I get a deep sense of sadness, of something that I have not done right, but then I realize that maybe I can at least make some magical moments for her, maybe she will remember the little things we do, maybe if I can really do something special, she will think of her childhood, the way I think of mine. As the best.

Heading into the sunset. This area is one of E's favorite spots when we head outside. She takes me to the bench and then orders me to sit.

It's fun to see what people are up to...this girl was wearing Kangoo Jumps, which reduces the amount of strain regular jogging puts on your knees and other joints. We spoke for a while...it was very gracious of her to stop and interrupt her rhythm....and she said that this was the first time she was wearing them. I though balancing on them would be a problem, but she said it was quite easy.

This is E taking off as we get outside. I love her excitement. I love how it rubs off on us, jaded as one becomes with life. I love how she makes me feel.