Many times we have been told, “you can’t do that, you’re to
old, and or to big.” We’ll we can either take it in and agree or we can do the
opposite and really YOLO!
In the
beginning of 2013 I took a road trip to Winslow. For two reasons, one reason
was because I needed new kneepads for basketball, and the second I wanted to
hang out with my friend Luis Petete. I met Luis through Search in St. Michaels
last March. Must I say he has always been there for me no matter how far apart
we are and no matter how long it takes us to talk to one another again. He has
told me that once a friend always a friend. Which has became true. Well,
anyways after buying my kneepads we met up at McDonalds. To my surprise, I met
Sabrina, I believe that’s how you spell it. In the beginning I thought it was
his adopted sister or something. It turned out to be his girlfriend that I have
never heard of until that day!
All three
of us ordered. I paid for my food while they paid for theirs. We went through
the door that led to the playground. Yes, we sat in the playground room. We
didn’t even have a young child with us! But, it’s okay it didn’t stop us one
bit. As we took a seat we started talking about stuff. They would ask how
school was and how things went down in the H-town. After, asking their
questions I started to know Sabrina by asking her what she does. I came to
learn she helps at the retirement home or nursing home. One of those two maybe
I didn’t learn that much besides the fact she takes care of elderly people.
Then in the middle of our conversation we had a pause in it just so we could
enjoy our food.
As I was
drinking my Sprite, I was the one who had the clear view of who goes up the
playground. Luis and Sabrina had their backs towards the opening of the stairs
that you have to climb through. Out of nowhere I see an older man maybe in his
forties or thirties. All I could tell was he was way to old to be going in the
playground. I tapped on the table and gave my two friends a signal to turn
around. They turned around and we began to watch this older man work his way
through the playground. The funny thing was that it seemed as if he was looking
for his son, which was already at the bottom because he took the slide. His son
looked at us at pointed at his father or grandpa which ever it may have been.
He pointed, covered his mouth, and started to laugh.
The man
reached the slide and we all thought included the little boy that he was going
to take the slide to get back down. Nope we were wrong. He turned around and
climbed down the steps again and the little boy scared him when he came down
and began to laugh again. Luis, Sabrina, and I smiled at each other and began
to laugh. We weren’t laughing because the old man. We were laughing because we
saw how much love the man has for the child because he didn’t let anything stop
him to playing with him. He didn’t care what others would think of him and he
didn’t let his age stop him.
Just
yesterday, we came back from Chinle and we stopped at Burnside. Teyah, Nasa,
and I decided to go down the slide in their playground. This was the second
time I did this in that particular playground. The first time was with Brittany
who hit her head going up. We didn’t care though, we just did it, and enjoyed it
as much as we could. I think that once we are told that we are to old or can’t
do certain things we sometimes let it get to us and make it true. But, I believe
that we can still enjoy the little things we did as little kids, we just have
to put the world aside and do it. Just like the older man with his son or grandchild, or the older people in the Superbowl commercial.
I can clearly see that man playing on the play place. It is amazing how moments like that can stick with us. You are right it seems that more and more often people are telling us that we need to grow up. I always took that to mean out childish things aside and be an “adult” I guess being an “adult” doesn’t mean that we have to put childish things aside. I am glad that you still take the slide in a play place and I am inspired to do the same, to not care what I think others want from me but what the child inside of me is saying. Thanks for the reminder Jessica oh and I love the video that was very creative.
ReplyDeleteOh, Jess, how rightly this post represents you! One thing that I find admirable about you is how you always seem to find the joy in every little thing. This is a beautiful trait! You have such a free spirit about you that just sheds light on those who are blessed enough to be around you. This story about the man on the playground truly proves that although our bodies may, our hearts don’t have to grow old! I definitely think it is important to keep a young heart regardless of age so that we never miss out on the vitality of life! Continue to help those around you (including me!), to find that childish spirit within them and to “live while we’re young!”
ReplyDeleteThat is pretty cool. I think that you have a very valid point. It does not really matter what other people think. The old man obviously understood that. I also agree that it seems like society pushes us to mature faster, but the thing is... what’s the point? I think that it is kind of ironic too though, because it seems like young people just want to be older, while older people just want to be younger. I guess it proves that the grass is not greener on the other side. We need to enjoy the time more while we are young and not be so anxious to become older. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete