What Do You Miss About Being A Child?
Growing up, every Saturday my sisters and I would walk down the road to our cousin’s house, for a “playdate”. I’m sure the constant question of, “Is it 3:15 yet?” got old for my mom. I honestly can’t think of a Saturday when we DIDN’T make the trek. Hours were spent playing in the cottonseed, jumping off high points in the barn into hay, getting stuck in hay bales, sledding off the barn roof, snowmobiling, quading, playing N64, and making up any fun we could. It amazes me that no one ever broke a bone. Truly, it was a miracle. And it was only repeated again on Sunday afternoons after our naps, when they came to our house.
Life seemed so simple. So carefree. Because it was. We just lived for the moment and IN the moment. Excited for the NEXT Saturday. Excited to imagine. Excited to just BE A KID.
I sometimes reminisce about those days and wonder, what changed? Why did it have to change? I know you’re probably chuckling because we all know exactly what changed. Life. Circumstances. Responsibilities. Struggles. Aging! No way would I dare sled off a barn roof again…
Heart failure and cancer over the past 7 years has really brought life into perspective. At times I felt I was fighting for not just a normal life, but for LIFE in general. I was given a 40% chance of not making it through my bone marrow transplant in January. Now, I know that’s less than 50%, but when I really started to consider those odds, they weren’t very encouraging. But it wasn’t the first time I was told those types of odds with my open heart surgeries and I knew God was calling me to do it. I was more than ready to fight.
It’s been a LONG year and it has afforded me the opportunity to think much about life, where I am right now, where I want to go, and who I want to be. I think back to my childhood and wonder, how can I incorporate that love for life back then, in the hear and now?
So I asked Mazy. What do you love about being a kid? Here’s what she said…
Big imagination.
Not worrying about things.
Hanging out with friends.
Sports.
Our home.
That’s it. And you know what? When I look at that list, thesee are ALL things I can love about life RIGHT NOW. At age 40.
Dream big. Let go of what I can control. Be with other people. Enjoy activity. Embrace being HOME (too many days were spent in the hospital the past couple of years! Oh how I’m thankful for our HOME). Mazy, thank you for helping me keep it simple. What I loved back then, I can love now!
What do you miss about being a child? What was your favorite childhood memory? How can you incorporate an aspect of it into your life today? I’d love to hear your thoughts…
I remember sitting by my mom and she would read to me and my brother. The most exciting book was a comic book of the complete Bible. We would spend hours doing that with her. I also remember her teaching us all the kings of Israel and Judah. Still have the copy of all of them hanging around our kitchen wall. I remember getting two cents on Wednesday if we knew our catechism. Then added 3 cents on Saturday if we still knew it. We started catechism in 1 st grade. We then could go down to the store and buy a big candy bar. Going with my dad as he visited some of his people in our church. Great memories. Mary Ann
I LOVE this, Mrs. Knott! These are memories that made a lasting impact on you and are now a testimony in your own home, like the judges! I love that they gave you 3 cents on Saturday if you still remembered the answers…that says so much. Yes we can memorize it for a grade or a thumbs up, but to actually own it and remember it for more than a day, so impactful! Love these stories and I’m sure your kiddos have the same 🙂