Nerd in Another City

I’ve always been really good at being a kid. It’s an art really. Pretend play? Mastered! Arts and crafts? Duh, have you met me? Childlike awe and innocence? Yep, got those too. It’s what makes me an awesome nanny. It’s what will (one day) make me a kick ass mother. And it’s why kids freakin’ love me!!! (Not to brag.)

But somewhere along the way I forgot that part of myself. Sometimes, especially in New York (land of growing up too fast), we’re forced to be grown ups. Turning 30 and 31 meant being an adult now. Meant that I had to quit playing. To stop dreaming (or only dreaming realistically.) To be serious. To be… boring? No thank you!!

This past Saturday, I went to Disney World with my oldest friend, Stacey. And it was like chicken soup for my soul. When one goes to “the happiest place on Earth,” one does not spend time worrying  about adult problems.  One does not try to be a grown up. One must and does just play!

So that’s what I did. I ran around and took pictures and ate ice cream and rode rides and wore Mouse ears and played with my oldest friend. And I was refreshed. God reminded me that we are meant to come to Him with the heart of a child and that it doesn’t mean you can’t be a grown up sometimes, but it does mean that you shouldn’t be one all the time. And that in remembering the innocence and honesty that children are gifted with, we find a new way to worship.

This week as you walk through your adult life, whatever that may look like: kids, jobs, spouses, problems… remember to play. Take a moment and run as fast as you can. Wear something frivolous. Dye some Easter eggs. Go to Disney if it’s within reach, and dream about it if it isn’t in reach. And every time you pray come to God with the heart of child and like I was, you too will be refreshed.

And while you’re at it never, ever forget to play!!