TODAY, KIDS DON’T KNOW HOW TO PLAY

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

P L A Y! You know, have fun. Kids today don’t know how to play.

Long ago and far away—when I was a kid, we knew how to play with a capitol P. In the summer we were out all day. Of course, kids living in the country were out all day working not playing. But us city kids—we played. When school was in session we came through the front door and out the back. We played until time for supper and then it was back out until time for bed. We dropped into bed exhausted but smiling. What about homework you ask. My friends and I never cared much for homework but we sure enjoyed playing.

Now that I am retired I have become an observer. The kids on our cul-de-sac do not know how to play. They only talk about it. They bring out the bats, balls and bases. They get everything ready to play but they never get around to it. They discuss the rules over and over and over. But the rules don’t matter because they never get around to playing. They take the bats, balls and bases in and bring out a soccer ball. They discuss the rules, kick the ball a few times and then change to a football. They fuss, argue (and they may even cuss a little) debate and stop just short of fighting.

After awhile they are nowhere to be seen. I guess they are watching T.V., playing with the computer, eating snacks and getting fat. You say, “They may be doing homework, becoming brilliant and getting ready to lead the world to a better day.”

HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA!

STOP IT. YOU’RE KILLING ME!