Children are commonly understood to be innocent.  They are also credited with having a unique wonder that seems to largely dissipate as they mature into adults.  Furthermore, many people have extremely fond memories of their childhood.  Why is this?  Is it because they didn't have to deal with the troubles and responsibilities of the world, the lack of negativity?  Innocence, if you will?

Or is there a better explanation for why children are usually much more exuberant and excited about the world than adults?  Personally, I don't think that happiness can be adequately measured by a lack of negativity.  Kids are innocent, so their lives are better?  I think not!

It doesn't make sense that we can lose so many of the bright aspects of our childhood.  We grow so much and can become so beautiful, it's incomprehensible to me that it might be natural to become less happy when we grow and become exposed to the dangers and diversity of our environments.  We don't have to replace the wonder and the spectacle with adulthood.  They are not mutually exclusive.  Even if you have a damaged, compromised life with lots of baggage (like I do), there's plenty of wonder out there to cling to and to gape at in awe.  There are so many opportunities to have fun like you're five years old, and I wish people would take themselves up on those opportunities more often.  so worth it.

Here's the beautiful mix that my beautiful Abbie recently made for me, along with a rightful review.  I love reviewing mixes.  I get to use my favorite adjectives and say nice things.  Of course, it takes good mixes to be able to do that.  I sort of take them for granted, because my partner in crime happens to excel at reading my music taste and producing these compilations.

1. Here at the Right Time, Josh Ritter.  I love how Josh Ritter makes me feel.  For me, his music induces longing, wist, and gives me the satisfaction of some nonspecific and unidentifiable urge.

2. Set the Fire to the Third Bar, Snow Patrol.  I like their other albums more, but this song is awesome.  Maybe I've just listened to songs like Run and Chasing Cars way too much before I collected a wider variety of music... anyway, the girl in here makes me think of Epanine from Les Mis, and I love the duet.

3. In These Arms, The Swell Season.  I like them.  This song, indeed.

4. Fever Dream, Iron & Wine.  Probably my favorite Iron and Wine song, mostly because some of their other music is too bland for me.  Love how it makes me think of a Scala and Kolacny Brothers song - It's All Over.

5. Dance Me To The End of Love (live), The Civil Wars.  Very compelling melody.

6. Star Star, The Frames.  Quaint.  Pastoral.

7. For Emily, Wherever I May Find Her, Simon & Garfunkel.  I've always thought the ending of this song was weird, but I recently thought it made sense, considering saying "I love you" is generally how lovers say goodbye.  I love the way this song works.

8. Song For a Lover of Long Ago, Justin Vernon.  Soothing.  Hey, didn't this song just end?  No, Justin just took a break.  Desperation.  I guess I like that.  It sort of takes away from the musical quality, but that's fine with me in this case.  It adds substantial emotion.

9. Love Song, Death Cab for Cutie.  I love the variety of covers there are of this song.  I love how Ben Gibbard sounds like he's talking.  In response to a certain doubter who disparages his voice, I've thought more about whose voices I (don't) like.  I believe what makes or breaks a voice for me is never the set of vocal cords, but the way the singer tries to put emotion or art into what they're saying.  If they use their voice as a canvas to complete their work of communicative art, then I appreciate and enjoy it.  If they're trying to be "cute", "pop", or "heteronormative", I don't want to hear it.  Owl City is a prime example.

10. Your Protector, Fleet Foxes.  Stunning.  A crisp breath of security.  The firmament.

11. Held In the Arms of Your Words, Tired Pony.  What a great combination of artists, really.  Stellar song.

12. I Can Hear Music, She & Him.  Weird that this is more country-like than the previous song, which is from a group who tried to make country music then failed to fit the genre.  I'm glad they failed that attempt, because it ended up great.  This song sounds far away and open.  I hear normalcy.  Peace.  Relaxing.  I like this.

13. I Will Follow You into the Dark, Death Cab for Cutie.  yes.  Similar in mood to I Can Hear Music when they're put together like this.

14. Nothing Matters When We're Dancing (Magnetic Fields Cover), The Antlers.  This song brings me joy.  Songs like this make me feel satisfied, and remind me of the times I just exist with the people I love.

Battle elucidates my roughness

which Fear adorns to rage

within a pool of talent, reap sin.

Closed to apology, close to the beach,

Opened by addicted arms, closed again with claws

Pumping, Clenching, Blushing, Rushing.

it puzzles to search for satisfaction;

Seduce me with envy pride lust and love

Find me imperfect and give me a diamond

for never could I adore such an emerald

as I embody in carapace united.

Rather than try my own type and color,

I have a thirst for something more tepid—

Trivial, perhaps, but nonetheless riveting.

Splice my gestalt into nameable pieces then eat them all up.

When you open your mouth to comprehend my taste,

You find me delicate, salty and red.

But raw, in my home, I was not so fiery,

Where my aegis was purely devoted to safety, enameled, scratched, detached

Closed by nature, opened by another

to be closed to closing, opening wider

then thrilling fell into water.