Playing

This morning, I happened to glance out my window and saw a small group of youngsters out playing behind my house. They looked a little young to be out unsupervised, but it looked like one of the group was a bit older and bigger, so they were probably fine. They seemed to be having a grand time of it, under the pine trees behind our fence. The trees back there are young, so their branches start maybe 3 or 4 feet up off the ground. It makes a great spot for hiding and running around, kind of like a big tent. They were chasing each other, and then they’d stop for breath or scheming or whatever groups of little ones do at that age when they’re playing, and then they’d chase each other around the trees some more. One was smaller than the others, but the rest of the group always waited up for him. It’s fun to watch the interaction at that age — affection is shown alternately by love and hostility — and these little ones were no exception, cuddling up in one moment, and then kicking and biting the next. Eventually they ran off, and the games moved on to the apple tree or the bigger pines or wherever their imaginations took them.

If ever we move from this house, I will miss watching the deer out back in the quiet of the day.