We are all made of stars and I’ve heard it said in different ways and in different tales that young children, given their newness to the Earth, are closer to the stars and the divine than we are. Five years old seems to be a passageway of sorts.

Until now, Harrison has had this other-worldliness to him the way babies and toddlers do. Normal things to us don’t make sense to them. Normal things to them don’t make sense to us. Their senses are in perpetual wonder that can’t be slowed down, altered or broken by us. Their intuitiveness is there but not always in a way we understand – again, like the divine.

It’s such a unique gift to witness this in my own child. I’ll always treasure it even as I watch as Harrison becomes more Earth-like in his ways and in his being. It’s the natural way and the natural order, of course. But it’s sad as well to see that extra magic fall to the side in favor of learned language and behavior, socialization, influence from us and his friends. There is still magic – he’s very young and childlike wonder certainly remains – but that extra magic, the one that came from the stars, does seem to fizzle out around this age.

I can, at least, take comfort that as this was happening, as he was in the most magical, mystical, connected to the other that he will ever be in his humanly form, I fully witnessed and was present and took it all in as best I could. I never wished it away but rather embraced the toddler stage for all it brought to my life, all the while hoping that he could feel that love and mindfulness.

And this next stage, of my beautiful child who is growing into the world he will occupy, will bring its own wonder and adventure and love and light. And challenges and change, too. I may opine for that extra magic but will always strive to stay in the moment with my son, particularly these young times that go fast and are limited. Harrison is smart, curious, thoughtful, silly and patient, and I simply adore him.

Here are some photos from the past year between his fourth and fifth birthdays as well as Harrison’s currents likes and thoughts: 

What is your name? Harrison
How old are you? 5
What is your favorite color? red
What is your favorite food? Cream cheese sushi roll
Who is your best friend? Baby turtle 
What is your favorite song? Holding out for a hero
What is your favorite animal? Turtles
What are you afraid of? Sharks
What makes you happy? Mommy 
Where is your favorite place? Atlanta 
What do you want to be when you grow up? Firefighter
What does love mean? Mommy
Who is your favorite superhero? Link