Get Up, Stand Up

While playing in front of her toy box last week, Caitlin gripped the box's edge, planted her feet, and slowly, determinedly, pushed her way upward until she was standing straight and tall. She looked somewhat like a newborn horse, all long, awkward legs going in different directions. As she stood peering over her toy box, Caitlin took a moment to look around the room-this time from a higher vantage point. No longer was she looking up at things. No longer did she wonder what we kept hidden on top of the coffee table. No longer was she shorter than the puppy. Standing gave Caitlin a whole new perspective on her everyday surroundings. Just as she processed the excitement of this new world, Caitlin's legs buckled, her bum hit the floor. But for that brief moment, I think Caitlin saw her future-a future full of stealing remote controls from the coffee table.