It's that time of year. My children's bodies are filled with bumps, bruises, skinned knees, shins, elbows, even faces. This is not unusual. They're outside most of the day running and playing. There's dirt under finger nails and feet dusty from running through the yard (and playing in the backyard mud kitchen). Unlike quite a few parents, I love seeing their "war wounds." To me, it signals a full, happy, well lived summer. And unlike quite a few adults, I love my "war wounds" too.
My arms and legs are covered in scratches, cuts, and bruises. I can name where I got every single one of them. The scratches on my arms are from my dog, who likes to jump at my arms so I can hold all 85+ lbs. of him. The tops of my thighs are covered in bruises also from my dog, who likes to climb onto my lap when I'm sitting on the couch, or in a chair, or on the floor. His heavy paws form instant bruises. There's the bruise on my elbow from walking into a wall. My lower legs are filled with cuts and scratches from hiking and one from a pool ladder (??? yeah, I have no clue either, only that I cut it on the side).
I smile as I remember each of these wounds. It means I have the freedom to do as I please, live my life hard, and enjoy it all. Even when I walk into walls as my child cries after a basketball hit her in the eye. A very full of fun summer indeed.