Have you ever not realized how long you’ve been down and out until you were up? This happened to me the other day. My son and I went to a park and played. We really played. I haven’t played in a long time. I think for a long time going out with friends and having drinks or something similar was mostly what I equated to play as an adult. But I don’t drink anymore so that’s out…also, real play is much better and more fun than having alcohol.

I didn’t plan to play. My son said lets race and it was on! We raced each other and climbed and went down a slide and were hanging from a very tall sort of merry go round that your legs dangle freely on unless you’re pushing off from the ground to go around again. We laughed…I realized I haven’t laughed from such a free place for awhile. I can’t remember the last time I just let go and didn’t care what anyone around thought and just had fun. I could feel eyes from other adults on us and I resisted the temptation to make any sort of eye contact or even to cast a look in their direction and while some of my thoughts wondered if I looked ridiculous the thought quickly hit me that abandon to play is enviable no matter your age. It beckons and calls to your soul.

I extended time on our meter as we made our way to the changing water fountains. These fountains change how the water comes out and colors at night. We got wet. We ran in the water and didn’t care. We laughed and laughed with each other and were silly. My son was a maestro and he commanded the water from the fountains up as the water dwindles and slowly builds in height as it eventually was as tall as him. There was a pivotal decision he made as we stood by very long steps that water runs down: “should I?” he asked. His implication being, should I go all in and get soaked? I nodded with a look on my face that said “of course!” He proceeded to sit on one of the steps where water ran over him sealing the deal. He ran under a fountain that rained water all over him taking the full plunge.

We enjoyed each other. Both of us letting go and in the process me being blown away by how long it’s been since I have and he enjoying the joy we both were living in. We ended our time dribbling a basketball…I learned to go over etiquette when passing a basketball as I looked away at one point and the ball nailed me in the face. I’m laughing remembering.

He didn’t want to leave when it was time to go and the truth is, I didn’t either. He pouted all the way home and then some. Finally, he apologized and said, “mom, tonight was awesome”. I couldn’t have agreed more.

I realized that night and into the next day how much ease and trust is in play. There are no worries or thoughts of concern. Its present based. The moment now. And we found happiness in many moments that night. I won’t forget it. In fact, I will go back and live in the memories over and over again.

If you haven’t done it in awhile, I recommend making some time to play. And really play. Engage in something you don’t often do or have never done and really let go and enjoy it! You will not be disappointed.