Right of Passage: Puddle Jumping
In my opinion, rain is a pretty fantastic thing. Of course there are some cons to rain, especially when it starts to really come down, but overall I really love it. Ever since I was little the sound of rain on my window has been able to put me right to sleep. I have a white noise app on my phone and the most played are the rain selections for when I can’t sleep. Rain also gives the area a clean slate, somewhere to start over from.
Kids these days are not known for being outside as much as we were when I was little. They are inside watching their screens instead of watching the rain make pathways down their windows. Thankfully my friend A. agrees with my valuing simple things, like the right of passage that is jumping in puddles. I have gotten several short videos of her two kids with the adorable rain boots and little raincoats, splashing away. They kick up muddy water, looking back at mom with giant grins on their faces.
Every kid can find joy in the simple things. It is when we grow up and get jaded, that the ability to just enjoy the little things in life becomes increasingly difficult. Things like running around in the yard on a sunny day, bubble wand in your hand, or building a sand castle at the beach and imagining the kingdom that you would rule over. These small joyful moments fade for us as we age, and I think that is such a shame.
When we have interactions with kids, as a parent, a friend, or maybe even as a family member, part of that inner child wakes up and remembers how much fun we used to have. I am always laughing when I get to play with my niece and nephew (A.’s kids). We get out the simple toys, like building blocks, and stuffed animals, then we let our imaginations go wild.
To the parents that are hesitating on sending their kids out into the rain, here is a little reassurance. Kids can be bathed, clothes can be washed, floors can be cleaned. They only have so long before they are jaded adults like us, so let them make those pure memories. Let the kids have their right of passage, enjoying the simple things in life, like rain coming down, and puddle jumping.
