Play is for children. Not adults.
When our son was a little boy, and we were teasing him about something, he used to go on the defensive and declare, sometimes tearfully, "Mi nah play!" ("I'm not playing" in Jamaican patois). In other words, he did not want to get involved in the conversation, and wanted us to stop. This is what the little children at school used to say when they felt they were being picked on.
Because after all, play is participatory, and that's where I stopped short; because, honestly, most of what I would call "play" (or relaxation) I do on my own. I don't think doing the New York Times word puzzles and crosswords, or reading on my Kindle, or watching a Netflix series, really counts.
So, I found myself thinking rather hard about this Bloganuary prompt, and concluded that I don't indulge in much "playtime" myself, at least not in my everyday life. Perhaps that's a bad thing. I love to watch children playing. And if one could extend it that far, I love to watch my favorite football team play. But of course, I am looking on. I have never been fond of card games - I am too impatient - and the game of chess befuddles me, so I can cross those off my list.
I was wondering what the origin of the word "play" was and found it comes from Old English (meaning energetic movement) and Middle Dutch (meaning to leap for joy, or dance). Well, I haven't done any leaping or dancing in quite a while; but back in our more sprightly days, we used to work up quite a sweat.
Perhaps the closest for me nowadays might be the occasional birdwatching session with our group, although we don't do any leaping or dancing there (well, perhaps in a very subdued way). We tiptoe along quietly for the most part, and then stop altogether when a bird is spotted. But the enjoyment and participation is there.
Ah! I have just thought of two occasions when I am purely "playing," messing around: spending time with our two crazy dogs, who are always up for a game or two, is one. Having some jokes and laughs with my husband, whose whacky sense of humour never fails, is another.
That's the best kind of play, for me.
Nelson Mandela Day with the children at the YMCA in Kingston a few years ago, sponsored by the JN Foundation - playing with South Africa's national colors. (My photo)
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