"My Connections to Play"

“Play is our brain’s favorite way of learning.” -Diane Ackerman
“Play is the beginning of knowledge.” -George Dorsey

 Play was very important in my childhood. There riding the bikes through the wood trails of my grandfather's farm. Then we would ride our bikes 2 to 4 miles a day through country roads with no worries because everybody knew everyone and they would watch out for each other's children. Family time on the weekends with brothers, sisters and cousins where we would play tag, dodge ball, basketball, and hopscotch and other family activities. In school during recess, we would see who could swing on the swings the highest, who could ride the merry go round the longest, or who could run the fastest, and who was the strongest. Some of my cousins and friends would watch wrestling and imitate the moves on each other once we were outside playing however I was smart enough not to do that.

Play today is so much different. Children have these I Phones that limits their physical activity. Preschools and schools have totally eliminated play for children. Children's after school time is dominated by after school activities like little league, or recreational sports that they do not have anytime for play. Parents are forcing children to take on more adult roles at such a younger age. The computer, video games, and texting have made children become so sedinetary that obesity is becoming an epidemic amoung them.

Play is essential from childhood through adulthood. Play is a way a learning throughout our lives. As children we learn who we are through play and how to confirm to society and family rules. Play teaches us to be creative and through this play as adults we learn how to make the right decisions that will better our lives, and we we make the wrong decisions, then we learn from them and move on. Play is the beginning time of what we learn about ourselves and others.

Relationship Reflection

Relationships are important to me because of the foundations of trust, guidance, and friendship. My mother is my most important relationship now since my father's passing twenty one years ago. I can go to her and share anything with her and I know what I  tell her will stay only between us. The guidance she has given me since childhood has been indispensable. The christian faith instilled in me by my parents and grandparents has given me the foundation that I need to guide me in my life. My mother has taught me not to say what you want to become in life, but she has taught me to go out and achieve my goals through actions and results. My father showed me to not to trust everyone because everyone is not out for your best interest and that include your own family members. Friendship, to me, is akin to true love. Love given freely, yet held back. Passion without touch. Trust, without limit. Communication, without fear. As different as they may be, they are reflections of each other, as the friends themselves are, and both are a burning need to make the other smile (Eric Nickel).

My parents has showed me what a loving relationship can be between two people. How they worked with each other to raise eight children by nurturing, disciplining, and guiding them when needed. My parents and grandparents were parents and grandparents and not your friends as some people try to be to their children today. My parents taught me to treat people with respect even though they may dis respect you. My father taught me to learn how to walk away from a fight which was very hard for me to do in my younger days. All of my relationship new and old relationship are built on trust and honesty but once those or broken if I have to work with you I will but there will only be a business relationship and never a personal one. In a personal relationship once trust and honesty is broken there will no longer be a relationship with you at all.