We used to play “Chase” when we were kids. “Hide and Seek” was also a good game. “Tag” and “Freeze Tag” were also some favorites. Simple, but fun, games that got you outside, interacting with other kids and generally getting us some exercise and fresh air. Yes, we got bruised, skinned (skint is the actual Southern term for it) knees, and other “owies” that Moms are all familiar with, and always made better with a band-aid and a kiss. It was fun. It was outside. I miss those days. I wonder how much of my life has been affected by those little games. We never even realized how the act of playing affected us, until we’re grownups. Some of us never realized it.
When you play, you activate your imagination. You make up some things that aren’t there, put arbitrary rules in place, and then try to win. Fairly accurate? I think so. You can do it all by yourself or invite others to play with you. That brings a whole new perspective on the game, as the other person, or people, bring different ideas and strategies with them. Some of them even cheat. Not us, of course, but those OTHER people. Sometimes we have to “referee” our own games, and not everyone defines the rules in the same way. There are arguments, fights even, and sometimes the game gets cancelled because of the dispute. There are great victories, horrible losses, and the occasional tie that nobody likes. Yup, play teaches us a lot. How we learn to play, win and lose, will imprint upon our character, our emotions, our outlook and our attitude long after we stop playing the simple games. We take all of that into adulthood. For better or worse.
I didn’t win a lot of those games when I was younger. I was slow, poorly coordinated, and chubby. I wasn’t agile, fast or skilled at many of them, but I still had fun. We played for fun and had plenty of it. Still, feelings got hurt and egos bruised more times than I can count. I didn’t always get my way, even though I was “the baby”. My brother and sisters played to win, and so did I. That was part of the fun. Bragging rights were important, as were winning and losing. That’s okay. You win some, you lose some.
I don’t see kids playing like that nearly as much as I remember us doing. Technology and science have brought us into an “Entertainment Renaissance” that has totally transformed a young person’s play atmosphere. They can play video games online with other people anywhere on the planet. They can investigate facts and look at things online that make Encyclopedia Britanica look like a newsletter. They have access to so much stuff. I just wonder what exactly it’s teaching them about the real world around them. People are losing their ability to communicate with one another, express themselves to other people and to find artistic outlets that are truly genuine, I believe. Too much is done for them by technology. We lose out when we don’t learn the simple truths of playing. Skint knees and all, it’s worth it. There are times when skint knees are necessary. Without those original small sacrifices (in pain, sweat and losses) how do we learn about ourselves and others? When we can just start the game over on the computer, and play for thirty-six hours until we master the game, how do we really know if we’re good at it, or just wearing it down through repetition? I really think we need those skint knees. It gets us ready for those years when Mom’s not there to kiss it and make it all better. I still miss that part, myself.
Y’all play nice out there!
God bless y’all!
Rolling Stones 