I watch for a moment. The children run and scatter and then turn to run some more. There is not a plan but simply movement. There is only action. Yet, to the side is a smaller child. She will run and stop. Look around. Run again. Stop. Look to the others. And then begins to cry. I walk over and lean down. "What is wrong?" I question. She shakes her head and continues to cry. She cries because she is lost in this game. She needs someone to include her. Someone to smile and say, "You can do this too!"

To often, I act as a child. I run from one thing to another. I fail to stop and think, but simply act. And in my action, I forget to reach out. Do you ever do this?

I need to remember that there may be someone, just like this child, feeling vulnerable. Someone who simply needs a smile and a little encouragement.