Grandma's Backyard

Summer can be a great time for kids. Swimming, camp, playing with friends, etc. are all part of the fun. Much can be learned during these months as well. In fact, in terms of learning, summer is equally important as the academic year. The lessons might not be measured by test scores but they are a vital part of each child’s development. 

When I was 5 or 6 years old playing in my Grandmother’s backyard was a joy. Looking back many days were spent climbing trees, picking grapes, playing by a brook and catching grasshoppers. In addition, Grandma’s yard often became a baseball field, football stadium and a spot to ride my little sled down a hill during winter’s months (once right into the previously mentioned brook). At the time it all seemed so big. At the time it all seemed like magic. How lucky I was to have such a place.

Every once in a while I will hop in my car and drive to the neighborhood of my early years (I was there up to the 2nd grade). When coming to Grandma’s old house I often contemplate knocking on the front door and asking the present occupants if they would allow for a brief tour. To present this hasn’t occurred. The place looks much the same – but smaller. What once seemed so huge now appears to be less so. Sure, Grandma’s yard measured about an acre and a half, but for a little kid it was gigantic. Adults have a tendency to reduce and rationalize things. What a shame.

While writing this piece scores of memories flit through my mind. Grandma’s place is where I first learned about snakes. In fact, one time, Buster (Grandma’s dog) once chased/fought a large black snake. To me it was Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom come to life. In a little kid’s mind that sleek reptile was the size of a King Cobra and Buster was thrown into the role of Lassie (even though Buster was a mutt). It seemed so amazing.

Many children are enamored by Dinosaurs. My dad would often speak with me about creatures like Tyrannosaurus Rex and the gigantic Brontosaurus. All of this came to life when he asserted that birds were descendants of dinosaurs. Imagine archaeopteryx in Grandma’s backyard. This was foremost in my mind when the pheasants came each morning to visit. Real life dinosaurs before my little eyes.

Another trip back a few million years was when my Aunt and I dug up salamanders down near the brook I mentioned earlier. After learning that salamanders have been around since the dinosaurs I wanted to keep a few as pets. I placed a bunch of them in an old coffee can and watched for hours. Unfortunately for me, but more so for my new pals, mom called for lunch and I left the can out in the summer’s sun. Learning that cold-blooded creatures should not be left baking in metallic coffee containers on a July day was a difficult lesson for all involved. Some things are learned the hard way.

Fireflies, ants, bees, worms, beetles and butterflies offered a panoply of flying, squirming and fascinating life. Skunks, pheasants, an occasional visit from a deer, squirrels, chipmunks and so on and Grandma offered up Animal Planet (before its time) to a young kid.

When you add in the trees (Birch, Apple, Oak and others undefined) along with ferns, wild flowers, moss and other such stuff the darn place was a laboratory where I could be busy for hours. I can’t begin to tell you how many popsicle sticks became boats that traveled the  ‘Mighty Mississippi’ (that brook again). I also can’t explain what it was like to hike deep into the forest (jungle) following those very same sticks. One of my all time favorite activities took place in the fall when it was time to rake up the fallen leaves. I would help my father and Grandmother make big piles so we could burn that foliage by the roadside. But before doing so, it was a blast to have Dad bury me beneath a huge clump of fallen leaves.

A short time back while chatting with my daughter via Skype (she lives in North Carolina) I had an opportunity to watch my grandson Luca, playing in the backyard. It brought back many of those moments detailed above. It also reminded me, again, of the importance of play and imagination. 

Luca, oblivious to all scrutiny, was busy digging into the dirt, picking up sticks and running around looking for whatever he might find interesting. Even though he was at play Luca looked pretty intense. Whatever world or series of rituals he was involved with was grabbing his attention. In fact, Luca was so engrossed that his dirt covered hands, pants revealing a half moon and parent’s gaze fazed him not. He was having a blast. He was engaged. He was a scientist, soldier, artist and explorer. It should be noted that Luca’s first words were reflective of his engagement to the world. ‘Pine Cone’ was the young lad’s initial utterance. Never mind that just about everything was eventually described as ‘Pine Cone’, but it’s a start. 

Sorry for rambling, but basically what I have been trying to say here is that hanging out in the yard is important for kids. In an era of organized sports, music lessons, test prep courses and competition to get into the best pre-school, free play is essential. Being attuned to technology and academics has many merits. Being attuned to the rhythms of life is equally valuable.

It appears as though play has gone the way of the dinosaur– virtually extinct. I say virtually extinct because the birds of today have a direct connection to dinosaurs. With this said fun can often be found in education. Academics have  evolved but some basic truths are still inherent it their DNA. Where have all the dinosaurs gone? They have gone to wings everyone. “When will we ever learn? When will we ever learn”. As long as we still have birds play is possible. As long as we cherish imagination and curiosity learning can be fun.

Inside each child is a natural desire to explore and play. Sometimes what comes naturally gets truncated by adults wishing to push them ahead.

Hopefully many adults reading this piece can remember times in their childhood when climbing trees, skipping stones, catching dragon flies and swimming in a local pond was part of summer. This along with Tag, Hop Scotch, Hide and Seek, Whiffle Ball and just hanging out telling stories was once a big piece of being a kid. If you can recall these, keep in mind that you have turned out OK (for the most part). Will that extra lesson or class make such a difference that it replaces play?

I have often thought of creating workshops for adults who have forgotten how to play. I am not talking about tennis, golf or cards. I am talking about making snow angels, climbing trees, playing Red Light and rolling down hills. I am also talking about having the ability to look at the world in wonder, as well as, being able to hop on a Disney ride and laugh along with some children. Maybe few will sign up but I will bet a bunch might want to. Perhaps, some night when nobody is around one or two might actually try.

Enjoy your summer. Teach your kids a great lesson by allowing them to play just a little bit more. Now, if I could only get the nerve to go knock on the door of grandma’s old house and ask those inside if it would be O.K. if this wrinkled kid took one last look at the backyard. You never know.