JUST OUT FOR A WALK IN THE PARK

Yet what a revealing picture. I almost said photograph. Well, he does has some of his father's features.

The most revealing is the eyes. The youth is all bright eyed and eager for what awaits him. What explorations, what discoveries he can make. What good times ahead. Endless possibilities there are for him. I'm reminded by that look at the end of the school year. Man, back in the day it seemed like Summer was endless. And no day was better than the first day of Summer. That's what those eyes express to me.

But not for Papa. He knows that danger can occur. Just around the corner. He has to be protective. He has the big shoulders. He's the adult. The one responsible. The one in charge. And he relishes it. Time with his boy. Time to re-live his youth. Yet his is a secure past. He survived the dangers. He may not know what's ahead, but he's comforted by the past.

ee cummings once wrote "old age sticks up signs and youth yanks them down." And that's the difference. Adults warn. Youth are invincible. There's simply no middle ground.

But when you see "The Hippies" win The Amazing Race, then maybe there's a sliver of hope. They were both kids and adults who won one million dollars. They were so funny and seemingly carefree. They beat "The Frat Boys" (thankfully) and "The Daters" although they were never really called that. They would have been the underdogs if not for "The Hippies."
They were tough, fell behind, rallied, quibbled at times, but were never as cool as The Hippies. They were entertaining and put up a good fight.

Not the best tv show, The Amazing Race is reality tv with a bite. Hopefully with a lesson: that while we can't retain that wild-eyed innocence of youth, we don't have to resort to worrisome old age without a battle.