What Playing Together Taught Us

As kids, we played outside whenever we could, no matter what time of year. Of course in the Summer we were outside more than ever, playing from morning until it got dark. When it got dark, we either called it a day and went to our respective homes, or the play continued at someone’s house. That house was usually John’s, and he had a lot of fun toys and board games.

Three of us had back yards that came together to form one large place to play. It was the perfect size for a baseball diamond or a football field, kids’ size, that is! We had a swing set and a small above ground pool in that space. We used to make the sliding board as slippery as possible by using wax paper on it. And we thought those swings could touch the sky! On hot days we loved to play in the pool. We thought the pool was huge. But thinking about it now, it wasn’t that large. And it certainly wasn’t that fancy. But to us it was just right.

There was also a basketball net in the alley behind our houses. It was right in front of mulberry trees that we loved to climb. Eating the mulberries as we picked them was a special treat. We had no problem shooting baskets and eating those juicy mulberries.

We also picked lilacs from bushes that grew in the back yards. Crushing them up and adding a little water to them made “perfume.” The funny thing is I could never smell the perfume. Never the less, we had a perfumery going there in the back yard.

Aside from playing, there were a few times when we would go from neighborhood to neighborhood selling “chances” for a cake. Adults actually bought the chances, then we’d pick a name out of a hat, and that person would win the cake. The problem was that there was no cake until we had a winner. Then one of our Moms had to bake the cake. But our Moms didn’t mind. At least they never said they did!

So what did we learn from playing together? We used our imaginations and had fun doing so! We learned life lessons, from how to be a gracious winner, to how to lose with dignity, to cooperation, to camaraderie. That’s not to say all was hunky dory all the time, because it wasn’t. In fact, one time John just plain old booted me out of his house. I can’t remember why, but I suppose I was getting on his nerves! I took it in stride and we were still the best of friends.

I think the most important thing we learned was to truly care about each other. We learned that we all had flaws and shortcomings, but the good in each of us outweighed them all. We were friends no matter what. And we stuck together like family. It was a great place in which to be a kid!