Horse Play

We have a horse in the house! A horse named Beemer.

Affectionately named after a pony she met at the Jackson rodeo last 4^th of July, Luji’s horse is a sparkly pink hula hoop (“spinner hoop”) on which she has been racing around our house for the last couple of weeks; effectively inventing her own and redefining our idea of horse play.

Her vivid imagination has drawn us in. Invited to announce her first race, we now hold horse races several times per day, complete with starting gates, enthusiastic announcers, and a chance for an admiring audience to pet the winning Beemer.

The course around and around the couch ensures tons of exercise as Luji and her faithful pony race at top speed to edge out their competitors. More than a commuter tool, Beemer is her friend. She talks to him, encourages him when he feels sluggish or tired, celebrates him when he works hard and succeeds. She feeds him, brushes him, and settles him in his “pen” at night. It is a labor of love. She freely admits, “Mom, horses are a lot of work!”

The imagination and thoughtfulness of this little creature never ceases to amaze me.

And it makes me wonder: how would the world be if we as adults could magically embrace this sense of wonder and open play? What kind of world would we live in if the kid in each of us was celebrated every day rather than suppressed in fear of being judged or humpfed at? I’m not sure my imagination is creative enough to answer these questions.

Maybe a ride on Beemer with my vivacious four-year-old daughter will help.

Giddy-up.