Play

A few months after my final radiation treatment, I took my daughters back to the town where I grew up to visit my family.  We got into town too early to meet up with family.  We were on spring break, but they were still at work.  We went to a nearby park full of green grass dotted with tall old trees that two people could hid behind.  Even though my radiation had been complete for over a month, I still felt the effects of those treatments and still felt weak and tired much of the time.

At the park, I put on my tennis shoes and played tag and hide-and-go-seek with my girls.  At the time they were 8 and 11 years old.  We laughed, ran, tagged each other, hid behind old trees and fell on the ground enjoying the spring day. Today, my girls still remember that day.  They played their mom. 

One day last fall I played a different version of tag with my students.  They were thrilled to see their teacher running and trying to tag other students.  I became very cool that day.

Today, I went out to recess with my students again and ended up playing a little soccer.  I'm not very good, but I can kick the ball far.  They were impressed.  They squealed, "You are the coolest teacher!"

My girls and my students enjoyed and still remember those days because I, as an adult, played with them.  I put aside all those horrible adult things that they see grown-ups doing: giving orders, correcting, being serious, being still . . . and I ran and played.  I didn't play because I was really good and wanted to show off. I played to have fun and to make mistakes just like them.

It is a great stress reliever to play.  Being outside or taking a walk are all great things, but play is different. Chasing a ball, running from whoever is "it," hiding in a corner knowing they'll never find you are some of the best and most memorable times in my life.

Play doesn't cost any money or require you to be in a special place.  The only thing it costs is your time, but it will pay you back with joy and peace and moments that no one can take from you.