This collection of photographs of children playing pops that illusion like a bubble. Many of these kids are enjoying water, and bunnies, and rainbows, and running. None of their escapades required an admission ticket or high end equipment. The boys leaping off a waterfall and the girls jumping rope found pleasure without adult guidance or a theme park.

Laughter is free, and they created it with nothing more pricey than a ball, a string and someone to share it with. I find the reminder calming, as summer wafts by and everyone I run into asks the proverbial conversation starter.

"Where are you going?"

As good fortune would have it, our family is going to the beach for a week. This blessing is not lost on me. I intend to splash with the rest of them, and gaze out at the water at sunset. We will sing on the deck and play cards in the living room. 

But I am hoping to remember that congeniality is not for sale. If I want to enjoy my husband and my kids I need to bring it with me.