I thought I was pretty clever with my code name (yes, you get code names). I was "The Others." I thought for sure that I would win with that name, but no such luck. 11th place out of 24. Most of the rest of the party were law students with names (that only law students would really laugh at) like "J. Scalia."
This experience got me thinking... what else from our younger days have we abandoned? We may not get a thrill from kick-the-can anymore, but in this blessed country of ours, do we still find time to experience some child-like thrills?I LOVE riding on the back of shopping carts at the grocery store. I don't plan on stopping until I'm no longer physically able. One of my heroes, the chemist Henry Eyring Sr., used to do standing jumps onto his desk in the middle of meetings with students. Even up to late in his life he would challenge other students to a 40-yard dash.
Anyone up for a game of kickball? What do you like to do that produces the same unbridled joy of youth? What do you like to do for fun when you don't think anyone is watching?
Good post! I still like to color, play video games, blow bubbles, and any sort of tactile stuff like Play-Doh, clay, etc. I think being a parent can put you back in touch with that stuff. :)
ReplyDeleteI've recently taken up climbing trees, playing on the big-toys at the park, running around barefoot, trying to balance on curbs and low walls, and jumping onto and over things. All very refreshing and enjoyable activities.
ReplyDeleteI love laser tag. It's been years but what's not to like. I like riding on the back of shopping carts. I color on occasion with the kids, bubbles, all the things mentioned by others in the comments. What I like to do when others are not looking is throw eggs at houses and put m80s in toilets...
ReplyDeleteOK, just kidding on those last ones... One reason I've enjoyed having so many kids is because I always have an excuse to act childish, even at my advanced age. I do the Halloween thing, even dress up sometimes (my kids love that). One thing I've learned to never do again is crawl through those Chuck E. Cheese tunnel things. My knees and back can't handle that!
Roller blading and skate boarding are activities that I've decided I will avoid. When I was younger and lighter, falling was nothing more than getting right back up and moving on. These days, the ground is a lot harder, getting back up is a big challenge and everything hurts exponentially more than it did when I was younger :)
The desire is still all there, the ability and resilience are lacking significantly.
I occasionally just follow the tar lines that cover the cracks on the road and try not to fall off them when walking to and from my car. Oh and sliding down the rails is still a blast! :)
ReplyDeleteI guess my comment is going to be a bit redundant....I love that parenthood keeps so many childhood joys alive (except as happy said...the ones that have become painful in my old age). Fun post! May we never really grow old!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was young I liked building things, aeroplanes, boats, rafts, tree houses, underground fortresses, fireworks, powered scooters and more. I find similar pleasure and outlet today in the wood shop. The tools are better and the eye has gotten a little more critical. Last night I carved mortise and tennons out of wood from Grandma's sycamore tree. I am working on the legs and stretchers for my neo prairie style desk. It is constructed with cast off, seemingly useless wood for the most part, such as sycamore, Russian olive, and Chinese elm. Who would have thought such wood could be made into a desk?
ReplyDeleteMortise and tennon joints have been used by woodworkers for thousands of years. One of pharoah's ships, sealed in his pyramid tomb, used this contruction and dates to the 4th Dynasty of 2500 BC. That would predate Abraham's trip into Egypt by at least 500 years.
When teaching an Old Testament class a few years ago I was intrigued to know about Shittim wood. God commanded Moses to use it constructing the Tabernacle in the wilderness. I found a person knowledgeable and even bought some pieces imported from North Africa. Among other places it decorates your book case. I will find a place to use it on my desk, maybe pins to hold the tennons.
I like having kids in the shopping cart and a nice sloping parking lot. Hop on the back and ride all the way to the car!
ReplyDeleteI really like swings at the park, although some swings are a bit narrow, and my backside starts to fall asleep if I try to swing too long.