More Scope for the Imagination

"Isn't it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive--it's such an interesting world. It wouldn't be half so interesting if we knew all about everything, would it? There'd be no scope for the imagination then, would there?"

 ~ Lucy Maude Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables


It is amazing what kids will come up with when left to it. My kids aren't lacking in the imagination department even if it sometimes drives me a wee bit crazy.

 The husband and I were trying to enjoy some random television show (I don't know why we bother because we both know that this is usually futile before 8pm when both kids are here)when we noticed that Kieradyn had a jump rope looped under her brother's midsection while she had herself haphazardly strapped into their little wooden chair. (This is the same little wooden chair that was mine when I was a youngling.)

She was calling out for him to "Get on, Reindeer! Ya! Ya!" or some such, and he was successfully dragging her across the room, much to what seemed to be their mutual delight. Shortly thereafter, she strapped Gideon into the chair with a jump rope (I thought it was cute that she was at least trying to be safe) and treated him to the same ride. There was much giggling from both and cries of "Look Mommy!" 

I am none too proud to admit that I almost missed this little moment. Don't get me wrong. I know this isn't anything monumental, but their joy... their inventiveness...! It was almost missed because I nearly shouted a complaint that they were playing too loud. Part of me wanted to put a stop to it because what if they scuffed up the floor? Too often I get caught up in what I like to refer to as "frazzled-mommy-mode" where I just want a bit of peace and quiet... where its easier to say, "Just a minute, Sweetie. Momma's doing something." Ironically, I find myself yelling in a bid to achieve this, but my re-evaluations about that situation are for another blog post, methinks. 

Anyway, I guess it got me thinking back to the things I came up with back in my own childhood. I remember overhearing my gramma on more than one occasion commenting on how I was a bit of an odd duck with all of the little make believe games that I'd drag my sister into. Back then I embraced that uniqueness. I could entertain myself for hours outside with a little pot and leaves which would become stew or a bubbling cauldron filled with a magic potion. Or maybe we'd be superheroes with blankets for capes... 

The possibilities were endless, and I remember feeling so special and invincible... 

When did I lose that feeling? More importantly, how can I keep my kids from losing it? 

Okay, please excuse this unexpected and only slightly related tangent...

This isn't where I was going on this post, but now I am reminded of a song that I discovered a few months back written and performed by a young lady by the name of Dani Shay that I think I'll link here: 

Yes, she bears a certain resemblance to a particular teenage heartthrob, but please don't let that take away from her amazing song and talent. 

I guess the point of this little blog post is that I want to nurture these moments instead of shutting them down before they really even begin. It isn't New Year's yet, but I resolve to have more patience. I want my kids to have all of the 'Scope for the Imagination' that they need, and I want them to continue to face the world with their heads held high like all kids seem to do naturally until a certain point in their lives when they become more like us all too ho-hum adults. 

I like how they can look at something so commonplace and make it... magical.