The weekend was a whirl of activity.  Yesterday I was back at Mum’s, this time with Hubby and his truck of tools.  She has a swimming pool that has been in place for well over 20 years.  Pennsylvania winters pose a bit of a challenge to aboveground swimming pool owners.  Over the years, the ground has shifted, and with it, the supports.  This year the decking was heaved so badly it posed a safety hazard.  We had the task of disassembling the deck on her swimming pool, attempting to re-level the supports, and reassemble the deck. 

Simple, right?  Wrong. 

Long story short, we got the work done in about four hours.  It looks great and Mum is thrilled!  While we were having a bite to eat at the end of our workday, my brother arrived with two of his three children (oldest Katie, and youngest Bobby).  My two nieces and one nephew are one of the greatest sources of joy in my life.  They are my constant reminders of the following:

You were once a kid.

Always take time to play.

Laugh at yourself.

Life is an amazing gift.

As adults, we can easily become so busy with “grown-up life” we forget one or more of those things.   I keep up with my training so my body is able to participate in MY play.  I ride my bike.  I hike.  I fish. 

Many years ago, I visited George Harvey at his home in State College, PA.  At that time, George was in his 80’s.  He gave me a tour of his fly tying room, shared stories, and invited me to visit a stretch of his favorite fishing water.  I gladly accepted the offer to see his stream through his eyes!

We arrived at the stream.  It was a gorgeous piece of water, impeccably maintained, privately owned.  George talked about the stream, and how he had watched it change over the years.  We walked along the bank, and he pointed to changes in the current, talked about where the fish would sit to rest and feed, thus giving me quite an education along the way!

Our walk took us to a bridge that crossed the stream.  We stood on the bridge and looked over the side gazing in to the crystal clear water.  George looked at me with a twinkle in his eyes and said, “Watch this!”  He leaned his body over the rail of the bridge, and SPIT into the water.  We watched as the spittle hit the surface of the water and a HUGE brown trout swirled at the surface, circling around to see what he might gain for a meal.

At that moment, the face of that 80+-year-old man transformed to a grinning young boy… “DID YOU SEE THAT??” he exclaimed.  My smile was as broad as his and I laughed saying “How could I miss it?”  He said…

“Want to see it again?” 

Even though “grown-up” life has us running in many directions, and more often than not, burdened with work and responsibilities, we must take time to play.  Take off your shoes and walk through the grass.  Look UP and see what is moving through the sky.  Ask questions and learn something new.

Life is an amazing gift.  Live it!