Watching Children Play

As the calendar begins to count downwards towards that morning that every child anticipates all year, and just as sure as winters cold winds will soon arrive, my own memories of Christmas past are beginning to unfold. Along with those memories are times remembered playing with the bounty, that Santa Claus would leave under the tree after we were put to bed on Christmas Eve. Among those recollections are the expressions I remember of my own parents, as my little brother and I would open each gift, and especially as we would play with the toys that we had received. Something I would not fully understand and appreciate until I became a father myself.

Have you ever sat back and watched children at play, when nothing else in the world mattered except the excitement of the moment? There is nothing more special, nor innocent, as children playing without interruptions from us who claim to be adults. Maybe we all could learn something from watching children at play. If adults could only reason like children at play, or notice phonies as quickly as children can, the world would be a much better place.

Many, including myself, have often said it; that when children are quiet, they are up to something. Occasionally, this may be the truth, and every parent has slipped up to the door of a child’s room only to find them doing something they should not be. My children rarely were quiet when playing and usually you knew exactly what they were doing simply by the noises made. My son though had a habit of becoming completely quiet at play, and of course, the silence raised curiosity. Like most parents, silence created a need to investigate, and the need to check it out, at times proved to be right on target.

On many such occasions though, instead of mischief what I would see is a child, who reminded me so much of myself at the same age. He would sit in the middle of the floor of his room, with a bunch of small cars, or some other type of toy that would fascinate a young boy. Without exception, he would be captivated in his own world of play. To observe him, you would think there was only one world, and he was the only person in it. As long as I could stand there and watch him at play, I would, and only wish I could still do the same today.

Our memories as parents and grandparents, watching our own little ones playing, will forever etch our memories. Just as surely, the longing to relive those memories fills each of our hearts and never goes away. Amazingly, I hear family members telling stories about how even those who are suffering from dementia can retain memories of their children, or even themselves at play.

To every young parent I urge you to cherish each moment. Time spent observing your children, creates memories that are as pictures painted in our minds. Just like a canvas that the painter never paints, moments missed, are pictures you will never be able to recall. Life leaves us with many regrets, and time missed with our children should not be one of them.

Children are a gift to us all, with eyes full of wonder and innocence. Even their playtime can put a smile on any face. Have you ever witnessed an elderly person, with the lines of many miles traveled etched upon their face? Did you notice how quickly just the sight of a child could turn pain into a smile? No amount of money or medicine can affect a person like a child looking up at you with a smile that comes straight from our Heavenly Father.

Every day I am more convinced that God gives us children in our youth, so as we become older we have memories to cherish. Each passing day, some of those memories can become more distant. With the holidays ahead, take whatever time is necessary to not only enjoy the opening of gifts, but also make sure you slip by the doorway, stand there quietly, and watch your children and grandchildren at play.