Liam – grandchild number 12 out of 14, the grandchild that lives closest, is the one we get to see most often.   This kid enjoys life more than anyone I know.  Even the simplest things are met with joy and wonder.  You haven’t experienced a neighborhood walk unless you’ve taken it with a child.

A break in the recent rains gave a welcome opportunity for a neighborhood walk.   As a brand new kindergartener Liam is learning at the pace of a Formula 1 car.  Snack in hand we set off to see what we could see.  A new home construction site around the corner displayed how a foundation is laid.  Just weeks ago an older, completely different house had been on this same dirt.  Liam didn’t miss the old, he was excited about the new.

Bees buzzed in and out of blooms next to stepping stones in landscaped paths, enticing us to follow.  Down the street the inviting sound of gurgling water called.  We got to the grassy edge overlooking a creek with a lot to say in its swirls and burbles.  Lots to see.

But what he really wanted to do was crack the codes.  Having full command now of his letters and numbers he ran from house to house, looking for codes on mailboxes, curbs and driveways.  As soon as he saw the numbers he would call them out, excited about discovering each new set.  I started to tell him they were not codes but couldn’t bring myself to dampen his enthusiasm.  Besides, technically he wasn’t wrong; the numbers are codes for first responders, mailmen, and workers.  Up and down each side of the street we went, Liam the Line Leader cracking the codes and having the time of his life.

It was much the same with the games we played.  We pulled out all the games in my cabinet and played as many as we had time for.   Candy Land didn’t offer much in the way of numbers or letters.  Same with Chinese Checkers.  For Chutes and Ladders you needed to know 1 through 100 while threading the directional arrows.  But with Bingo he hit the jackpot, each ball tumbling from the small cup as the wire cage was turned had a letter and number.  Now he could be the Bingo Master and work the called numbers board.  Of course, he beat me at all of the games.  Some of them twice.  That kid has the knack.

Liam has cracked the codes on more than just mailboxes, curbs and games.  He’s cracked the code on life.  A child-like faith in God and those who love him.  See the wonder in nature.  Consider the workings of construction equipment.  Listen to a singing stream.  Balance-walk on a ledge.  Run with all your might when the coast is clear.  Play to win but be prepared to be nice if you don’t.  Use what you learn.  Enjoy traditions like baking cookies, a bubble bath with sea creatures, old-school Looney Tunes cartoons, prayers at bedtime, bedtime stories.  Embrace the new enthusiastically – reading a new book, playing a board game for the first time, tasting a new cookie recipe, a new soft pair of socks.   And learning to crack the codes.