When you’re a  toddler, you know that every path is a long one.

Every journey an arduous one.

You’re feet are much smaller; your stride much shorter….

And let’s not forget those damn kid leashes.

When you’re a toddler,  you know the importance of that first step…

(When you’re Confucius, you know that you’ve got 1,999,999 more to go.)

When you’re a toddler, you imagine lollipops the size of your head awaiting you at the end of this tunnel…

Or perhaps Mickey Mouse.

(I don’t know; I’m not a toddler.)

When you’re a toddler, "The Man" takes on many forms.

He’s the guy or gal who’s pushing you into bed in the middle of the afternoon when you’d rather be doing anything other than "napping". The one who’s hiding the candy on the top of the fridge where there’s no chance of you ever reaching it. The one who’s pulling you out of that mud hole when you’re just getting to the part of actually tasting those mud pies that you’ve spent your entire afternoon making.  The one who’s still firmly saying "No"- even when you’ve been holding your breath for the last five minutes in protest.

He’s the guy that suddenly appears in the cute black and white shots of you climbing up the big slide for the first time.

And no matter how friendly his smile is, he will try to take you down.

When you’re a toddler, you know the importance of a well-placed kick in the face.

The groin is the better choice, of course.

But when you’re a toddler, you’ve already come to the realization that you don’t run very fast-

And "The Man" does.

When you’re a toddler, you’re still surprised to find "The Man" one step ahead…

No matter how many times you’ll climb this tunnel only to be greeted by the same outcome.

But when you’re a toddler, you’re fine with all of that…

Because deep down inside you know that one day you will be able to run faster than him…

And that that long-planned kick to the groin will be more than justified.