Children's Play

I stopped downtown after work tonight to do a little shopping.  I love our vibrant downtown retail district with its wide variety of stores, restaurants and entertainment venues -- such a rare find in small towns these days.  Although Christmas has come and gone, many of the shops are still decorated with lights and greenery.  The local coffee shop on the corner looked especially picturesque with its cozy, subdued interior lighting and vibrant winter light displays outdoors.  As I was admiring the coffee shop's curb appeal, I noticed children playing in the dark in the little pocket park across the street.  With our unseasonably warm January and very little snow, the playground equipment was accessible to the little ones.  Lights from the coffee shop across the street gave the little park a lovely glow, casting just enough light to see the children running and playing.  The children reminded me that nearly anytime is a good time to find joy, to laugh and to play, and that even in the dark, perhaps especially in the dark, we benefit from finding a light moment.