When I Was a Child

When I was a child, we made our popcorn on the stove with oil and a skillet. We enjoyed watching the popcorn push the lid up as the kernels swelled in the pan.

When I was a child, color bars and tone filled the television after midnight before snow would appear confirming it was bedtime for the surrounding community.

When I was a child, we made sure we had plenty of batteries, milk and gas before Christmas Eve because all stores were closed afterwards.

When I was a child, our television only received three channels so we spent hours outdoors inventing new games and riding bikes.

When I was a child, we were expected to stay in line not online. A mouse had a heartbeat and a web was something we frequently walked into on a warm summer day. Surfing involved water and an apple was something you ate.

When I was a child, the sun seemed to warm my face a little more and the rain seemed to fall a little more lightly. Rainbows seemed to have a little more color. Birds sang a little sweeter.

When I was a child...time passed quickly. I fell asleep as a child and woke as a mother. We make popcorn in the microwave, television is available every hour of the day, we are free to buy batteries on Christmas Day, we receive 97 channels, and my children stay online surfing the web with a mouse.

However, when I was a mother, the same sun warmed my children's face and the same rain fell lightly. Rainbows still seem vibrant and they are excited by the song of a bird.