Growing Up Vs Growing Old
In a park, by a river, there was a party. A birthday party. With balloons, and cake, and presents. All for a girl.
Another year older. A special one. One with a zero at the end.
But she didn’t feel older.
“Grow older, but never grow up.”
Parents, children, aunts, uncles, old friends, new friends.
And the boys barbequed. And the girls gossiped. And the kids played.
And then the big boys came out to play.
The children’s play equipment was no longer safe for anyone under the age of 20. Or anyone really.
See, four of the big boys have grown beyond the age where play is “acceptable”. One even has children of his own. But that doesn’t stop them.
There was sheer joy on their faces as they played. Swinging on the equipment like Tarzan through the jungle. Falling over dizzy after falling off merry go rounds and round-a-bouts. They hadn’t even drunk that much.
I often tell my daughters: “grow older, but never grow up.” I’m sure they don’t understand, but they parrot it back to me now. Growing older is mandatory, growing up is optional.
Watching the big boys play brought a smile to their faces; their wives, children and friends cheered them on. Their play didn’t just bring them joy, it brought joy to all those watching as well. Just as there is joy in watching children play without fear, there is joy in watching grown men play without fear. Without fear of injury, humiliation or embarrassment.
Perhaps we can all learn something from these big boys. Let down our guards once in a while to enjoy playing. Tomorrow these “big boys” will go back to work. Back to their corporate jobs in the city. But the smiles on their faces and on the faces of those who watched will take a while longer to fade. Hopefully long enough for those who watched to let their guard down, and experience the joy of never growing up.

