Play?
Life can be tough sometimes. This week gremlins have brought havoc to my world, both at home and at work. If it could go wrong, it probably has. Add to that the pressures of being a single parent. Most of the time, it’s no biggie. This week, however, I would have given anything to have someone to help me maintain perspective and to balance me out on the good cop/bad cop roles of parenting. I’ve had to be bad cop – tough-love parent -too much this week. Add to that the pressures of being a solo pastor. Carrying financial concerns, pastoral concerns, and administrative responsibilities alone (at least as far as staffing is concerned) can be a heavy burden some weeks. Like this one, for instance. Once again, I would have given anything to have someone to help me maintain perspective and balance me out on the good cop/bad cop roles of ministry. (What? You didn’t know there was a bad cop role in ministry? Surprise!)
I haven’t slept well this week. The weather has been overcast/gray/rainy/stormy all week, so I haven’t exercised like I should. Our schedule has been hectic, so I haven’t eaten very well either.
In other words: yuck, yuck, YUCK!
The kids were invited to a birthday party this week at The House of Bounce. I didn’t feel like my son, who has had a horrible week and started today with a pretty horrible attitude, needed the reward of a party. Yet I hated to leave him behind. Bad cop/tough-love mom won out. He stayed home, in his room, with big sister as his keeper. Mia and I headed for The House of Bounce. I must say, she was thrilled beyond belief that she and I were doing something together. Alone. Just the two of us. I don’t even remember the last time that has happened.
The House of Bounce is a giant warehouse filled with inflatable jump castles and inflatable slides. It was a little overwhelming at first. Look at some of the options:
Did I mention that parents are allowed to jump and slide too? For real! At first I was trying to act all adult-like, following Mia from castle to slide to obstacle course. She was okay with that at first, then she saw this:
That a mom and a grandmom on those slides! She immediately started in on me, “Come on, Mom! Come play with me!”
Play? Do I remember how to play? I used to play all the time when Anna was little. Mia and Gus have always had each other for playmates, so I’ve stood on the sidelines and mainly watched for years now. Can I still play?
I’m so proud to say . . . I CAN STILL PLAY! I slid down the slides and raced through the obstacle course and jumped in the castles – over and over until I was breathless and giggling. I wish I had pictures to share with you, but ~ wait for it ~ I put my phone and my camera away so I could play! Yay me!
It took a little bit before some of the other adults caught me in the act of playing. One of them did get a few pictures before we were herded into the party room for cake and presents. Maybe I’ll even share them here once I get digital copies from her. I’m kinda proud of myself!
Nothing has really changed since the party. Gremlins are still messing with me. Tough love is still needed at home. I still have some challenges at work. But instead of feeling all tied up in knots, I’m actually feeling a little carefree. (Okay, just a little, but it’s an improvement!) Sometimes we just need to play!
Face painting included!
simplyjan 
Good for you…..YES, she is beautiful!
Sometimes I look at her and it takes my breath away. Beautiful, inside and out.
Love it. Now I want to go the House of Bounce. LOL So glad you got to have some fun. PLEASE share the pictures. Hope things calm down soon and all the gremlins go away.
Some of the adults at the party were talking about how they wish they would offer adult-only play time there! Pretty funny!
Looks like fun!
Martha, it was so much fun! I really have got to remember to play more often.
Being an “adult” is so overrated!!