"You want to tousle?"

The other day I was driving around and I saw a couple kids (well teenagers maybe) messing around on the sidewalk. At first it looked like one was attacking or hurting the other, but really they were just fooling around. I could not help but smile and laugh. I think that play is one of the greatest things ever and being able to engage in it is a very admirable quality to have.

I remember back to when my brother and sister were growing up, all we did was fool around and "fight" eachother. Sure once in a while someone got hurt, much to my mom's predictions, but it was some of the most fun I have had with my family. Having a sense of imagination and being able to just run around doing something ridiculous with someone else is just so necessary. Most of my fondest memories with friends and loved ones consists of wrestling on the floor or tackling one another or making up some stupid game and just going at it. Even as an...adult?...I still love to tousle around with anyone who is willing. It just seems so natural and so carefree, like nothing else matters for a little while except connecting with someone you love and making a mess of the house.

I think I missed out a little growing up on the sports arena. When you think about it they are in fact games. It seems like throughout history and in every culture on earth, human beings love to compete and play games. I am a little less competitive than most, but I still love a good game and wished I thought about Junior High CYO basketball a little more like this. It is kinda cool though that everywhere there are people, we find something fun and strategic, that usually involves physical contact, to pass the time.

So whenever I am walking around and I see people playing something, messing around, or even just running around the park chasing each other, I just get so happy. I remember me and Amanda practically killing each other, my siblings and I giving my mother a headache, my friends and I tearing up the neighborhood, and many others who gave me some of the most giddy-filled moments in my life. I also feel relief in seeing people just relaxing and letting go for a few minutes to have some plain-old simple fun with someone else. This world moves so fast and is filled with so much negativity and bs that we need a little fun every once in a while. One of the things I am looking forward to more than anything else is getting down on the ground and playing games with my kids.

Until then, anyone want to come over and play? =)