I took my own advice. Except instead of seeking out a shady park to watch kids, I went to my granddaughter’s junior-high tennis match.
I sat with her and her team. Granny on the bleachers! I got to tell them about how, back in the day, my friend Connie and I devised our own scoring system: the more bounces, the more points. (It worked for us.) That was their first look of wonder. Like at a museum.
I was overwhelmed by energy, smartphones, sketchbooks, never-ending chatter, good spirits, water bottles, and a desperate search for quarters for popcorn. And by the saintliness of good coaches.
I learned I can confound at least eight junior-high kids at one time by pronouncing it “Annie May” instead of “Anna May.” (“Yes, I know what anime is!” Grandma growled. “But who is Anna May?”) That was their second look of wonder.
I got to use one of my best retorts before an audience: “Well, YOU don’t know what pop-it beads were!” That gets her every time. Their third look of wonder.
In one of my former lives, I taught junior high, and, sitting there amid the cacophony and hormonal mayhem, I was reminded of why I loved that age. They are full of life and imagination and hilarity.
I don’t think my look was one of wonder but rather of gratitude.
There is hope. Lots of it.
September 1, 2017 at 10:47 am
Sounds like you had yourself one great evening. And, I smiled at those looks – I know them well. đŸ™‚
September 1, 2017 at 10:51 am
I certainly did have one great evening! What entertainment! As to those looks — sometimes it’s fun to be old, yes?
September 1, 2017 at 12:36 pm
It’s wonderful that you spent time “amid the cacophony and hormonal mayhem” and saw excitement, imagination, hilarity, and wonder. Their behavior can often be construed as boisterous and disrespectful, but you saw the best. From one old person to another, thanks for giving me hope for what’s to come!
September 1, 2017 at 2:41 pm
Thanks so much for your thoughts, Bonny! I see you have some experience with the age. They ARE boisterous! And, yes, occasionally disrespectful, but sometimes that’s just the slipping and sliding of growing up. As you probably know.
My outlook was vastly improved by their company.