The first ten years

Today, I was talking to a friend of mine while we were eating lunch together about what we were like when we were kids and he told me that he didn't believe in Santa Claus growing up. Or wizards. He read encyclopedias for fun. Ran on treadmills, not while playing tag. Was always on a healthy diet.
I stared at him for a long time, speechless, and then I gave him a hug. What else do you do to someone who's been deprived of some of the best moments ever?
We all thank God that we're not working in a mine factory. But we should also thank God that we didn't worry about kids who did work in mine factories, as children. That for us, the world was a beautiful place to grow up in for us.
Santa Claus. The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. The elves that creep out at night and make the grass green. Running becuase it's fun, not because you need the PE grade. Stuffing yourself with birthday cake with no worries.
Count your blessings that during the first ten years of your life, there was no better life than the one you lived.