I'm constantly surprised at how much I learn from kids. Not only how to look at things in a different light- but to believe in what your light is showing you.
I watch the kids play and wonder how much of their made up world seems real to them. Do the blocks really become a castle? Does coloring flames on the side of your airplane really make it go faster? Do the dolls really cry? How bad does the plastic good taste? They truly believe in what they play.
Seeing the devastated look on a child's face when it's time to go home or clean up the kingdom they've created makes me laugh and cry with jealousy. How often have I gone to bed day dreaming- and why don't I day dream more often. As a child, my grades used to fall because of my daydreaming. Now the grown up in me is missing the kid in me.
I love watching them- the looks of mystic play, the sounds of half heard conversations as I walk around, the squeals and shouts of confrontation either real or imagined.
Being with them is like watching a movie; there's a certain amount of suspension of disbelief when I see them. I know there is nothing in that plastic play cup- but they believe it's full. And when they come up to me with a plate full of "food" and offer it; I become the happy restaurant customer who eats it all; or the picky customer who wants only green food on a purple plate. Even when were outside and they fill a cup full of dirt or snow (depending on the weather)- that dirt becomes chocolate milk, the snow- whipped cream on a sundae. I eat it happily.
There's something to be said about make believe- mostly; just believe.
Lesson #005
Don't always believe what you see... and definitely don't eat it.
