Child's Play

One of my childhood faves

I have a vivid imagination. Always have! I will tell you, I do come by it honestly. My Grandmother tells stories of my Dad tucking a sheet into his shirt, climbing to the roof, and jumping off, believing he was Superman. No broken bones, he just figured out that you really had to be from the planet Krypton in order to fly.

Well, already being predisposed to this type of fanciful imagination, I remember a few important movies/TV shows that effected my play. In the pool, I would only swim with my feet together, kicking like Darryl Hannah in Splash. I wasn't in the pool in the back yard or at a pool party... I was a beautiful mermaid swimming in the depths of the ocean near the city of Atlantis. How I loved to watch my hair float around my face! I could swim for hours that way, completely oblivious to the antics of the other kids around me.

Then there was Star Wars! I had my favorite white t-shirt I had taken from my dad's chest of drawers (it hung down to me knees). I'd put a rope around my waist and clip a flashlight to it. Luke Skywalker and I cruised the stars at night, my trusty "light saber" in hand, depending on Han Solo and Chewbacca to save us from time to time when the mission got to be a little more perilous than we had bargained for. I remember jumping from the bed to my window seat, then leaping to the floor...

My Dad would yell up the stairs, "What are you DOING up there?"

I'd yell back down, "NOTHING!"

Dad would say, "Well, that NOTHING sounds really loud!"

So now you know that when your child tells you they're doing "nothing", it's just they don't want to take the time to explain to you that the dreaded Imperial Army is at their tail and they're in the middle of a light saber fight with Darth Vader!

I grew up on a farm. When I went to do chores it gave the perfect opportunity for me to transport myself into history to play the antics of Laura Ingalls. I was so in love with Michael Landon - I thought he'd be a great dad, next to my own, of course. So while I watched my mom milk the cow, I threw the chickens their feed and collected eggs. I would skip through the pasture and pretend Mary and I were going to "get that Nellie Olsen". I had a jewelry box just like the one in the Little House on the Prairie show, and I''d use that as one of my favorite props.

Now I've passed on the tradition. My boys hammer away at Lego's, creating these elaborate erections.  They run to me, pulling me into their room, all excited to show me their "machines". I get a kick out of watching Iris as she serves "tea" to some imaginary someone sitting across from her, or she'll change into new outfits and chat with an invisible companion about which outfit makes her look prettier. I remember my older girls (who don't do imaginary play anymore) giggling and laughing as they climbed trees, one pretending to be a tiger chasing the other.

Imagination - it's the best toy money can't buy! :)

Now it's your turn:  What does the prompt, "Child's Play" bring to your mind?  For family history you could write about popular toys or games of that era.  Personal histories could be of your own childhood, or things you see your children/grandchildren doing today.  Have fun!