Today I taught Phy Ed, which meant I got class after class of rambunctious K through 5 kids to participate in games and be good sports. I had each class play variations on tag and musical chairs, except for the 5th graders. Everyone in the world knows that 5th graders are waaaaay to cool for musical chairs, so they had tag and open gym. I had fun, but at the end of the day I felt totally drained.
When I left the building I felt to gorgeous day for the first time...sunshine and 62 degrees. One of the best days yet this spring. I was walking to my car, and I noticed the playground was empty. I couldn't resist the lure of the swingset. I am sure if any kids or teachers saw me out there, they probably thought I was crazy, giggling and swinging as high as I could go. Most likley, I even looked like a kid. I already get mistaken for a kid as it is, and today I was wearing blue jeans and a pair of Chuckies.
I refuse to give in to the idea that playing is just for kids. I love swingsets. The feeling I get when the swing is at its highest possible point if better than any artificial stimulant I have over tried. Little wonder I don't drink much, given the comparison. The best part is the moment when the pendulum motion is just changing from up to down. There is about one second of weightlessness, followed by a delicious drop. Watch the ground coming up at me, or the sky getting closer and I am no longer the responsible adult person that I have been masquerading as all these years. Nope, I am just a happy 6 year old on a swing.
