Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Laugh, Yawn, Be

I noticed something about Demon Baby this morning as he curled in my lap. He snuggled against me, curled his toes, stretched and yawned. Not a yawn like an adult, when we try to stifle it lest we appear bored or rude. No, this was a full-on Baby Yawn, with rubbing of eyes and stretching. He looked adorable.

But then I realized he laughs with the same abandon. Doesn't care who see, or how raucous he gets. He claps his hands, sometimes does this flapping thing with his arms. He bends over, clutches his tummy and LAUGHS.

There's that old adage Dance as if no one is watching. I pride myself on dancing that way. I'm always first one out on the floor at a wedding. And it's not that I think I'm a candidate for "So You Think You Can Dance." It's that life is short. Dance when you want to dance. But it took me a while to learn that lesson.

And Demon Baby already knows this. Funny, how we come out of the womb with wisdom and then LOSE it as we become aware of the approval or disapproval of others. He yawns and laughs and cries and screams as he sees fit, without care that's it's impolite or in church, or noisy or messy or any of it.

Laugh. Yawn. Be.

I think Demon Baby is onto something.

6 comments:

Spy Scribbler said...

I like that motto! Now if he can only remember that abandon, then he'll be a wise fellow!

I've often heard it said that children and the elderly love Mozart the best. It seems to be true, but I suspect it's because there are some lessons we only understand when we're very young or very old.

Edie Ramer said...

Deomon Baby is destined to be a genius. He's already learned the secret of life.

Erica Orloff said...

Hi Spy:
I think if somehow, you can be instilled with enough confidence that you are content to march to your own drummer throughout life, it holds you in good stead.

And yes, the wisdom of babies. Wisdom of the elderly.

E

Erica Orloff said...

Hi Edie:
Now, if he can just hold onto it.

Laugh. Yawn. Be.
E

Aimlesswriter said...

Wise words. We could all take a lesson from Demon Baby. Tomorrow while I sit in work I shall yawn a big Demon Baby YAWN and relish my new freedom.
:)
I'm sure the boss will appreciate it!
hahahahhahaha....

Erica Orloff said...

aimless:
Good for you. Maybe take your shoes off and stretch while you're at it. :-)
E