like a child

Just yesterday as I walked to get a taxi home from work, I heard a boy of about 10 screaming at another boy to follow him go dance. There was music playing from a sales van a few metres from where they were. I bypassed him as he kept urging the other boy.

Within seconds this little boy rushed past me with the speed of light just so he could go dance. I just smiled….

It reminded me of how growing up changes a lot about us.

How many of us will still run into rain to play. Now, when it rains, we all run looking for the nearest places to hide so we don’t spoil our coiffure or clothes. 

Gone are the days when we used to leave the comfort of our rooms to run and play in rain, only returning when there is too much thunder and lightning.

I remember as a kid on Hastrup Street, in the good ol Ojuelegba, Surulere, rain was a reason for great excitement. As soon as the rains begin, our exercise books start looking for where to hide.

All you hear is pages being torn for the construction of boats for the impending competition. Just as the heavy clapper on roofs begin to die down, we all dash to the starting point. And to ensure your boat was amongst the competition, you needed to be there early.

And guess what our sea was? The bigger gutters in the neighbourhood. Gross right??? Yeah, wouldn’t try that now…

But hey, those were the days. 

Days when we used to do ‘piloloo’, hopscotch, and so many other outside games.

As you grow older, the pressures of life sometimes take away the simplicity of life.

Know that no matter how long you live on earth, life is still very short. Enjoy it while you can.

I plan on doing some things I used to do as a child, starting with playing in the rain- maybe with a shower cap on to protect my hair… lol

Don't let the child in you die. Have fun, enjoy life as simply as it should be. 

Share what you did that brought out the child in you. 

until next time, be good and be merry,and always leave a smile on your face.

aivie