Dressing Up and Playing the Part

Weren’t those Dulce de Leche cupcakes divine, Grace? Oh, how I enjoy the moments of pure caramel and vanilla cream cheese icing melting in my mouth. Which reminds me that I should schedule a visit with the dentist for the boys and me. I briefly mentioned that Jonathan pulled his tooth out. He was so excited to have a loose tooth. He kept tugging at it to try to loosen it up even more. Then we could see his other tooth growing out from underneath the gums.

He decided to pull his tooth the other night. Even though he had a little bit of blood, he was not afraid. He was smiling from ear to ear since it was his first tooth. Well, now that I think about it, I don’t know if the excitement was from it being the first tooth or he knew the Tooth Fairy brings money. Nevertheless, I was really excited because it was the first time I was going to play Tooth Fairy.

I waited until Jonathan and David fell asleep to sneak into their room. I checked their breathing and slipped my hand under Jonathan’s pillow to grab the tiny tooth. Quickly, I replaced the tooth with a dollar bill and left the room. I tucked the tooth away in a hidden spot. I was in such great spirits that evening knowing that I played the Tooth Fairy; it was so much fun participating in the childhood fantasy as an adult. Reminds me that we don’t have too many playful moments in our lives.

Guiding Lesson: Eve, how exciting!  Jonathan’s first tooth.  He is growing up so fast. Children have a way of keeping adults youthful.  They even help you remember the joys of simple things.  It didn’t take a big extravaganza to make you smile when you were little.  It was the mere fact that you were able to explore the world and be amazed at what life would bring at each new stage.  How this quickly changes.  I don’t know many adults that are as ecstatic to see what life brings them as the get older each year.  Do you?

Eve, you don’t have to lose this part of you.  It is still inside waiting to see if you will let her out.  I could hear your heart beat and the blood rush as you slipped into the role of Tooth Fairy.  You danced so gracefully into his room and left with a twirl as if you believed you were really the Tooth Fairy.

Don’t let this just be a memory.  Continue this type of play.  Maybe next time you can even dress up as the Tooth Fairy, even if it’s just a want that you carry.  You also have children that are dying to fantasize and imagine far-away lands.  What do you think about joining in and playing the roles you always wanted, but didn’t get a chance to do so?  This is not only your children’s time to enjoy their youth; it is also your time to relive your childhood.  You are in a place where you will be able to enjoy and cherish this more than your children.  There are some parents that did not have an opportunity to play as children because of unexpected responsibilities that were placed on them.  Some have allowed their children to teach them what it means to play while others have squandered this opportunity.  What will you choose?

I want to give you some homework.  You need to take at least a half an hour a day to play, with or without your children.  On the weekends, you need to schedule at least one to two hours.  You don’t need to go anywhere that costs a lot of money.  If you look around, you will rediscover that the world is your playground.  Simply look up at the clouds and tell me what animal or thing you see in them.  If it is raining, put on shoes and stomp in the puddles.  Teach your children to play.  It will lift your spirits and it is one of the best medicines for staying youthful.  I know what you’re thinking, “I don’t have time for this.”  If you are committed to playing, you will tap into a part of your body, your mind and your spirit that will provide your solutions to your everyday situations.  Playing is the beginning of finding doors that are waiting to be opened into a world of mystery, excitement and possibilities that want to be unleashed.  You may be surprised that your answers to your daily life lie in the art of play. So you see, you can’t afford not to play.

Ready.  Set.  Play.

Grace