"Can I go outside and run around?" the shyly girl asked. That was fine with her mother as long as she stayed in a certain area. It wasn't very big, maybe 40 yards square, if that. But she just wanted to run, and that was ok.

I watched her bolt out the door and run as fast as her legs would take her. She circled the yard one time and came right back in. Satisfied and content.

I remembered that feeling of freedom.

I smiled.