Sesame Street and Barney were the only TV shows allowed for the longest time - strictly doled out, nothing "inappropriate". I do not recall sabre battles between Big Bird and Ernie. Baby Bop never wielded a rapier in my memory.
And yet, from an early age my son would pick up a stick, jam a bucket on his head and morph into Sir Lancelot. Or we'd find him with a cape around his neck, flourishing a flashlight and warning us to stay away from his light sabre. As he grew older, he read incessantly about medieval weapons and was quite helpful with crossword puzzles involving five letter words referring to a weapon used in 5Th century hand-to-hand combat. Boy Scout camp found him and his buddies quiet only when whittling sticks to surgical precision so they could battle. This from the gentlest child I know. He's never been in a fist fight, used force to get his way, or threatened anything with a blade. (Albeit, his tongue can be construed as a weapon at times.)
So, I come home the other day to this in my yard:
These will be some of the great minds of their generation-
the future of America.
They will be crafting decisions that will affect our world and determine the course of our lives.
Some will leave for college next year, but applications remain blank today. (Hopefully the only weapon they will be wielding will be the mighty pen.)
Tomorrow they will continue their futile job search in an economy that has every one holding tight to minimum wage jobs.
Disregarded is the weather.Heat? Heat? What heat?
Today they're just being kids.
No sex...that we are aware of.
No drugs...I think WE would know.
No rock-n-roll...Oh wait, scratch that one. Lots of rock and roll.
(2 out of 3's not bad when it comes to happy healthy children. Besides, I like their music.)
I envy their playfulness and sense of whimsy. Life will catch up to them all too soon. Innocence once lost can never be regained.
And watch out, these "swords" are a bit flimsy - but GREAT fun!
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