A Child's Imagination

A child's imagination is a wonderful thing, and nearly the name of this blog. I had held that title in on another page for a long time after I though of it. It came to me as I was walking home from work a few years back. There were three kids, two boys and a girl, playing on the playground. The playground was small and have very little to offer. That did not stop the kiddos from having a good time. They were playing a game I am sure most of us played when we were little where the ground is made of lava and you cannot touch it as you try to cross the playground. They were having so much fun.

A child's imagination does not just make the most of a small situation, it also believes. As children we often think of becoming such glorious or even outlandish things. I disclosed yesterday to the entire Clinic where I work that when I was five I wanted to grow-up to be a butterfly. Foolish thought for sure, but back then it was possible. You really believed you could grow-up to be anything you wanted. Most kids want to be adventurers, astronauts, doctors, veterinarians, zoo keepers and the list goes on to jobs that most adults would not even consider. I might have been the only child whose dreams of grandeur involved transformation into a butterfly, but I aimed big and that is what I thought would be amazing.

Quick aside: I do not think it is too crazy to want to be a butterfly, well outside the fact that it is crazy to think a human could transform into one. Butterflies look so peaceful and fun as the flutter around. They are free to go where ever they please, and gladly dance around do show as much.

I have often accused myself of having Peter Pan's Syndrome, where I never want to grow old. I do not want to grow old and jaded. I want to always make things better than what they really are. I want to keep believing in myself and know that I really could do and be whatever it is I want. I know I will age, and the gray hairs will follow. I will have children of my own...someday and not too soon. I have to be an adult now, but I will keep my childish imagination.

~Skate