A baby girl sits in the pouch of her mom’s front carrier.

Fool’s gold glitters on the ground and stuck in the walls of a cave.

Sparkling like treasure far beyond it’s actual value.

Bright enough to draw the attention of other little kids.

Scrambling around with their little fingernails at any pieces within reach.

That is not the interest of the baby girl.

***

The little girl hoots out.

Little cries of glee.

Voice bouncing around the cave in a way never heard before.

An echo and feedback of elation.

Much simpler than the kids interested in looking for gold.

But very much the same feeling of experiencing something special.

***

All the adults around laugh with the baby.

None complain.

Not a sound to be silenced and some even mimic the girl in their own way.

A beautiful act that clearly expresses emotion.

Innocent and free in the yells.

The mom proud instead of embarrassed.

***

They smile because they know that feeling.

The reason why they had ended up touring a cave.

To try and discover that sensation.

Only to find it in the glee of a baby.

Though I do not remember that cave well,

I ache to feel the wonder of hearing my own voice shouting back as the baby I was again.