When I was I child … somedays all I wanted to be was grown up.
And now, when older is, well, at least a bit wiser, I would go back and tell younger-me to slow down. Don’t be in such a hurry to lay claim to adulthood — because once you’re all grown up, there’s no going back.
As a matter of fact, I would encourage younger-me not to ever be all grown up. “Tuck a bit of childhood into your heart,” I’d insist. “And bring it with you.”
And now that I think about it, yes, I’m older, but I haven’t forgotten how to be a child.
- I still stay up too late to read a good book — even though I know I need my sleep
- I still savor the perfect mix of a root beer float and a classic movie (Â Bringing Up Baby, anyone?)Â
- I still run down to the beach — and then run away from the advancing waves, laughing all along (And I’m already looking forward to doing this in Destin, FL next month.)
- I still wish upon stars … even though I believe in prayer
In Your Words: How have you managed to maintain some childlike fun and wonder in your life as you’ve grown up?
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Comments 10
Well, Barbara says that I’ve been seventeen for longer than anyone she knows.
When I was a kid (and as an adult), I saw way too many people who placed a sort of perverse pride in ‘acting their age’; to me they were stodgy boring killjoys with no fashion sense (and NO taste for good headbanging music), and I was not wrong.
Life is too short to quit leaving rooms by diving through the window, playing Dining Room Rugby, or drinking tabasco sauce on a dare,
I’ll let the bores have their ennui, and I will take my eventual epitaph –
:”Hey, dude, watch THIS!”
Author
Love that “Hey, dude, watch THIS!” epitaph, Andrew! Just don’t use it any time soon. I know some people who would join you on that Tabasco dare.
I work hard at staying a child, or young at heart, too, and definitely have more fun these years than I did as a child, except for the blessing of having a library across the street and for sure daily making use of that to the maximum. Loving the innocence and discovery of childhood makes me a better teacher to all levels of students, and also a fun grandma to my grandkids. Most of the time we enjoy ourselves thoroughly, and there are always more to discoveries to be made or inventions to think up.
Blessings to you.
Author
All I can say is what I’ve said before: there’s a definite Suessian element to your life, Dee.
There is nothing like the beach to bring out the child in me! It feels so good to swim in Lake Michigan even when it’s cold. I always laugh! I don’t even know why!
Author
I’m with you on the beach being a great place to be a child, Jill! 🙂
I try. Not always successful, though. But even though the big 70 looms, I still feel like I’m 18 on the inside. 🙂
Author
And you are still pursuing … and achieving your dreams!
Love the beach idea; enjoy looking for sea shells. I also buy simple kids’ coloring books and I have a huge box of crayons, so I spend time scribbling in the coloring books. I also enjoy walking in the rain with my dog without an umbrella
Author
Teresa: Coloring books and crayons … Love it!