A while back my son and some of his buddies from 6th grade spent the day together. They had attended an elementary charter school so they are now attending various middle schools. In retrospect, 6th grade was the end of the age of innocence in their lives. They had been together since first grade and had developed strong friendships. They genuinely liked and respected each other despite their differences. Most of them were now facing more grown up realities in middle school that in some cases are to say the least – a bit harsh.
Watching the boys that day was so heart warming. They playfully competed and kidded each other. They felt comfortable and accepted. None of them wanted the day to end. It reminded me of the 50’s TV show ‘Leave it to Beaver’. Back when kids played and got dirty from good old fashion outdoor play (my son thinks outdoor play is when he takes his laptop out to the back porch). Kids said ‘gee’, and ‘swell’ and Beaver’s favorite, ‘goofy’. Kids were respectful to adults (although Eddie Haskell did push it to the limits).
The reality is that eventually most if not all of them will grow further and further apart and soon these days of past will disappear in their memories. It makes me sad. The innocence will fade as life becomes more complicated and at times harder. I don’t want the days of innocence to end. I want these boys to continue to feel comfortable and accepted. Gee, why does life have to be so goofy?
I agree, Denise. These kinds of things make me sad, too: how fast time passes and how things in life (especially the good things that I want to stay the same) are constantly changing. But there will be many wonderful things that will happen in the future, too, and there will be more people/friends to meet and memories to be made. It kind of helps to lessen the sadness of wonderful things that have passed.
ReplyDelete