Lessons of Childhood

By Cathy Donovan

I grew up in a very traditional home full of children. My dad “worked” and my mom didn’t. You get the picture. During the summer months we were expected to be — how should I put this — children.

We had chores to do, but once those were done we were free to be, well, children. I often left the house on my bike about mid-morning, met up with friends on their bikes and spent the rest of the day swimming at the local pool and watching outlines of our wet bodies on the concrete sidewalk dry in the sun. Sometimes we would lie on the ground and look up at the clouds, trying to see familiar images in them. I remember playing catch, Four Square, hide-andseek, capture the flag. You get the picture. I remember feeling wide-eyed and alert. I remember being focused on the moment, not preoccupied with yesterday or anticipating tomorrow. I remember being full of energy, almost as if I was tingling. I loved summer. What kid wouldn’t!

Matthew 18:3 has always caught my attention. Does it mean that doing what I want when I want is the ticket to heaven? Hardly. The older I get, the more I realize how important those summer days were and the impact of the lessons they taught. I remember those summer days as being very simple. I wanted to be with friends and soak up the day.

As a parent watching my own children grow I am aware of childlike qualities from which I would benefit; humility, a trusting nature, freedom from ambition and selfish drive, the ability to be present in the moment and the openness to learning. I could do with a little more wonder in my life, a bit more amazement at all God has created.

Times have changed, and life has become more scheduled. While I wouldn’t recommend re-creating the past, I would recommend leaving room for some of the lazy, unscripted moments when God inspires us to play.

This summer, take a chance and schedule a little less activity. Leave room for the natural, God-given creativity of a child. Your child may experience moments of wonder and awe. Better yet, join your child in play. Draw on the driveway with chalk, make “concoctions” in the kitchen, have a tea party under the pool water, play Marco Polo, try to count the stars. You get the picture.

This article comes to you from  Take Out  ( Our Sunday Visitor ) courtesy of your parish or diocese.