HAPPY NEW YEAR!

To the Children of the World

I am 75 years young and have been reflecting on my life these days. It is with this blog I wish to say to the children of the world - be a child when you can, be responsible when you must and live each day fully. It is only in my day dreams that I can go back and relive my childhood. Playing as I did on 8 acres that my dad owned, believing I was baking pies, playing cowboys and Indians, riding the range with my stick horse, running through the field near by that was full of California Poppies and Lupines ... oh how I miss those days. I am so blessed that I still have a clear mind and can time travel back in memory.

Life back in my childhood days were so care free. My biggest worry was if it would rain and I would have to play inside. In todays world, my worries could be anything from, did I remember to mail that bill; when was the last time I bought a new battery for my car; where did I put my mask; and, I hope those tests come back negative!

When I was a child, sleeping outside in the summer time was such a treat; watching the shooting stars. Now days, I am lucky if I can see clearly through the smog. We never worried if a stranger was stocking the neighborhood. We kids stayed outside past dark and had no fear of heavy traffic while getting home on our bikes. We read books and if we were lucky enough to be one of the families to have gotten a TV set, there were several great family shows on to watch in the evening after dinner (we all ate at the dinner table together).

Now days families seem to be together but apart. The family can be in the same house, the same room but still not be in communication because the popular electronic device is all consuming. Yes, the TV did eventually become somewhat of a distraction for the family, but it was still relatively new and we still loved to read, or be read to and there were cards and board games. We also were a family of music and we sat together and sung songs and mom played a ukulele and my dad a harmonica.

Listen children, do not forget to play and play hard. Do not take on burdens if possible. Be light hearted, silly, imaginative, love on the arts, and music. Be a true friend as long as possible as friendships are harder and harder to keep these days. Do not be afraid to dream and learn to plan even at the smallest level. Only then will you make those dreams come true. Respect your family, your elders and yes, authority. You will and should become an important part of society. What you think and do does affect others.

Oh, I forgot to mention, always remain a child at heart. Have a hobby - paint or write (like here). This is what keeps you young.


Seabreeze