“I’m thankful for the park.”
These are the words of wisdom from my tiny, rambunctious,
adorable three-year old. I know
all parents believe their children are gifted, but the more I think about it,
this statement is more poetic than brilliant, but still pretty awesome for a three year old. After
all, isn’t the park where we learned all the things we need to know? Play nice with others, share your toys,
try new things, and make friends.
My daughter was born in the age of technology, and could use
an iPad before she was walking, but the park is her favorite place to be. It
trumps ice cream, movies, the computer, and even Mommies iPhone. The park is the place where she learned
to climb, jump, slide, laugh, and play.
She learned to try new things, take risks. She learned to be adventurous
and at times cautious. The park is
where she learned to get right back up when she fell down. She made friends quickly based on
proximity and whether or not they had toys she liked. She doesn’t worry about what she’s wearing, how much more
the other kids have, or even if she’s doing everything perfectly. Her happiest moments could possibly be
on that playground where the world is on the outside looking in.
I fear that when she becomes too old or cool for the
playground is when the cold reality of the world will set in. I forever want her to be an ambitious,
wide-eyed, playful child. I want her to see the world as something simple, and
to see all others as potential playmates. As adults I suppose we find new “parks” and places to be wild
and free, but we never walk into them as innocent as we did our first.
