Do you see that child’s face?  Do you see the wide, blue expanse above her?  Do you see that wide grin of hers?

“Look at me!” she squeals, and jumps higher and higher.

Who knew a three-year-old could abandon herself to the air like that?

I have found such a thing as crystallized joy, and it’s here, in the free fall of letting my heart go.  Really, I was so wrapped up in that exquisite moment, I quite forgot everything else.  My world was sky, clouds, and Liliana.

Oh, and to think we saw animals, too–rabbits, cows, sheep, pigs, goats, and horses, and roosters!

Kisses for the cows (that’s Meghan Connelly, one of her babysitters…Meghan is showing her own cows and steers all week):

“Don’t run away, rabbit!”

And finally, the thumbs-up sign before the cars start circling.

And this is my segue into something I found today on the Publisher’s Weekly site, on Elizabeth Bluemle’s blog post–an interview with Eric Carle, the well-known children’s book illustrator of so many popular and well-loved books.  [Update 10.18.10: This is a dead link.  You can see the video below.]

Take 3 and a half minutes to listen.  Very touching.

Such joy in making art!  Such unbridled passion!

I want that.  Just like I want my child’s bravery…her gulping of life.