Oops I forgot to be a kid

kid

You peek through your stubby fingers that are huddled over your eyes and you see your friends frantically scrambling in the background to get as far away from you as possible. Sweat drips down your forehead as you finish your countdown, “3, 2, 1, GO!”. With wind in your hair and wood chips underneath your feet, you run to chase your friends amid the cacophony of squeals and laughter; big voices erupting from little people.

Nostalgia is a powerful drug. 

I spent this week with one of my best friends, who I’ve known since I was 12, here in Paris. Modern outings peppered with past memories brought a sweet, nostalgic lilt to our time together. You grow up and grow out, evolving and learning as you go, but childhood friends always seem to remember who you really are; your essence. Friendships forged in the flames of braces, training bras, and now-obsolete technology truly stand the test of time.

From moving to another continent to starting grad school, I’d say I’ve grown up a lot. I still maintain though that the most ‘adult’ thing I’ve done is taking yucky medicine without an outside prompt when I was sick. In between the glories and struggles of independence however, sometimes all I long for is the simplicity of being a kid.

No Damaris, you’re way too young and small and cute to be calculating those hard numbers. Damaris, sit down and let me get you a popsicle, you don’t have to do those three presentations today. Taxes and government documents are tricky and tedious things that you’re gonna have to deal with when you’re older, but don’t worry, that won’t be for a while yet. 

Growing up – ew

I’ve long held a fear of growing up. From the perspective of a kid, adults seemed to have lost their zest and sense of whimsy, instead choosing to focus on enforcing rules and talking about the weather. I vowed never to allow myself to lose my childish imagination and joie de vivre when I grew up.

Now that doesn’t mean that I still pretend that I’m a ninja leaping over the fiery flames of carpet or that my shampoo and conditioner bottles are weary adventurers, destined to make it to the caddy of their dreams; but I do wonder what ancient traditions I may come across in the mountains of Nepal and I may quiet the delighted audience as I instruct them on my fake cooking show. I bring Uno with me wherever I go and am the first to ask, “Who wants to play a game?”. Curiosity-driven questions & trivia evolved from ‘Did you know turtles breathe out of their butts?” to “Did you know the ancient Incas were skilled brain surgeons”? (both highly interesting trains of thought by the way).

Yes, we’re getting better at being adults. We can’t forget, though, to nurture the childhood you who twirled until the world spun and loved to run barefoot; they’re important too.