My Connections to Play

Quotes that summarize what play meant to my childhood: 

A friend of mine posted this on facebook and it really summarized my childhood as well:

My curfew was street lights on. My parents didn't call my cell, they yelled my name. I played outside with friends, not online. If I didn't eat what was made, then I didn't eat. Sanitizer didn't exist, but you COULD get your mouth washed out with soap. I rode a bike without a helmet. Getting a couple scrapes and dirty was OK, and neighbors care as much as your parents did. Re-post if you drank from a garden hose

Two other quotes I enjoyed were:

You are worried about seeing him spend his early years in doing nothing.  What!  Is it nothing to be happy?  Nothing to skip, play, and run around all day long?  Never in his life will he be so busy again.  ~Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Emile, 1762

Children find everything in nothing; men find nothing in everything.  ~Giacomo Leopardi, Zibaldone Scelto

Two essential items to have when I was growing up were:

A tether ball:



and

A bike to get you where you need to go




People supported me in play by just letting me play.  My parents wanted us outside and playing.  If we could not find something to do, they would find us something to do, and we usually would not like that alternative. 
I feel that play has changed today.  I feel that as a parent I am much more cautious with my children than my parents were with me.  I feel that when children began to be abducted off of the streets, there was a shift in the amount of freedom children had in this country. 
I play with my children in ways that my parents did not with me, perhaps that is because I had my children when I was younger.  I think parents are encouraged to be more active with their children and to be interested in their interests as well.  I think play has evolved from the time I was young and it will continue to evolve.  My hope is that parents and children never lose the love of play!

Relationship Reflections

Relationships are extremely important to me.  My family is the most precious relationship I have.  I have three sons and a husband who are my world.  I also have deep friendships with several girls.  Here is a list of a few of them and how that friendship developed:

Stephanie - Steph is my younger sister.  She and I were not always best friends, as a matter of fact we could not stand each other for many years (My theory is that we were too much alike in some ways).  Through our parents growing old and becoming elderly and becoming parents ourselves, we have come to be best friends.  We talk every day, usually about nothing in particular.  Our children love each other very much, and even though we live 8 hours away we try to see each other as much as possible.

Larissa - Larissa and I met in the 9th grade (22 years ago!) when she moved to Wyoming from Tulsa.  We went through high school, college, our professional lives, our marriages, and eventually having children together.  The support and love we have for each other has spanned decades. 

Cat - Cat married one of my best friends from college.  We were not instantly close.  My high school friends and I have a close knit group, and while we are not mean or malicious, we do not let outsiders in easily.  Cat and her husband lived far away for the first part of their marriage, but four years ago they moved back to Wyoming.  We started to see each other more, and eventually a close friendship has been forged.  We are very different woman.  Cat is has a type A personality where I am more laid back in my personal life.  I think we compliment each other well. 


These relationships have sustained me through good times and bad.  Since my parents are sick and elderly they are not able to give me the support I need, so I must find it in other areas.  I thank God everyday for my friends!

Some of my friends and me at a U2 concert this summer!