Soccer Berry Mallow

In the eyes of my child, I am once again reminded of the joy that comes from just being in the moment. "Come on, Mommy", he urges as he hands me a lacrosse stick and a mini marshmallow. "Soccer Berry Mallow", he says, "Let's play!" I am led into the hall and asked to throw it. He stands in all seriousness holding a bag of minature marshmallows like a batter in the World Series in the bottom of the ninth with bases loaded. "I'm ready, mommy. Throw the mallow!" As I toss it across the room, I think about the simplicity of a child. How nothing is worth doing unless it's fun. If you don't have anything to do, make it up. Pulling memories from Mrs. Spider, Chicken Little, and last summer's lax lessons, my bored little boy invented his own sport.

Ok, so maybe he's no Einstein and Soccer Berry Mallow will never be an Olympic sport. But, for one moment, he was my Buddha. My light in the dark. My renewer of faith in all things good. He often brings me back to reality. With a subtle smile or smack across the face, this "angel" erases the outside world and forces me to concentrate on the here and now. The real Real. Not what society feeds us, tells us what we need so we don't have to think for ourselves, but the essence of what we need to survive...love and laughter.

He only hits a few marshmallows but gets an "A" for effort and imagination. We pick up what seems to be hundreds of marshmallows off the floor. Yianni secretly pops a few in his mouth, sharing the rest with Fatty, our mutt puppy. After putting his last handfull of air puffed goodness in the trash, he turns to me and asks, "Mommy, can we play Soccer Berry Ball tomorrow, please?" Without hesitation, I agree knowing I can always use a session with my little guru. Tonight, when I lay my head upon my pillow, I will think about the usual things ~ to-do lists, housework, bills, and work. But when the chaos fades and the quiet sets in, I will breathe deeply and smile, eager for a new day...owing it all to a mischevious imp and his Soccer Berry Mallow game.