Slow down, slow down to grow up

‘All children, except one, grow up. They soon know that they will grow up, and the way Wendy knew was this. One day when she was two years old she was playing in a garden, and she plucked another flower and ran with it to her mother. I suppose she must have looked rather delightful, for Mrs. Darling put her hand to her heart and cried, "Oh, why can't you remain like this for ever!" This was all that passed between them on the subject, but henceforth Wendy knew that she must grow up. You always know after you are two. Two is the beginning of the end. ’ by J. M. Barrie

After I read these words, I couldn’t calm down for a long time. When I was young, it seems amazing – grow up! At that time, I dreamed of doing whatever I wanted when I grew up. A moment when it really comes, I can’t find myself, I lost myself, I lost pure joy.

Years ago, I became a father, I gave my daughter and son many toys, keep company them, paly with them, I found pure joy again, I found my lost self in my children.
Eventually, they will grow up and have their own world and life, but now, with toys and companionship, I build an Ivory Tower for them and shield them from their worries.
Slow down, slow down to grow up.
I wish my children and all the children, have a happy childhood. Don’t be like us, grow up so early and so fast.

Devin Lam