So if you've ever been to Chuck-E-Cheese's you are painfully aware of:
a. the absurd amount of germs surrounding your children
b. the disturbing lack of parenting that goes on there
c. the "ride" that takes a high quality photo of your munchkin.
My kids love this little attraction and usually end up spending most of their tokens on these photo keepsakes. Last time we were there, I had a pile of pictures, as usual. Makenna came up and handed me another for the stack.
You may be wondering who the cute little girl next to her is.
I was too. Makenna said, "I think her name is Amber. We're friends now".
Simple as that.
Kids just say, "Hi. Want to play?" They don't need any background information. A first name will suffice. They don't care where you live, if you have a cool bike or what you got on your last spelling test. They just want to play. And if the other kid says no, they just shrug their shoulders and move on to the next kid. They are best friends...until mom says it's time to go.
Adults are a little more guarded. We consider things like what kind of car you drive, how much money you make and what your pant size is. We take friendships slowly and carefully. We have expectations and rules. And if a friendship goes awry, we get hurt or offended.
When does this change take place? When do those walls come up? And why do we let them?
When does the basic human need for bonding turn into judgment and fear?
Is it because we're shy or uncomfortable going outside of our comfort zone? Or maybe we're just so busy trying to get to the next thing, the thought doesn't even occur to us.
Whatever the reason, I say we all start acting like children again. They have the ability to look outside of themselves and see the good in someone else. Let's pretend that the waiting area at Jiffy Lube is Chuck-E-Cheese's (same amount of grime right?). Or that neighbor you've never talked to is that girl waiting for a partner on the see-saw. Just do it, I dare ya.
It happened to me recently at soccer practice. I was trying to keep an eye on 3 kids on the playground, one on the soccer field and one in desperate need of a snack. While I was rummaging through the suitcase that is my purse, I heard a pretty voice from behind me say..."Hello."
I turned around to see the matching pretty face (and gorgeous hair, perfect teeth and teensy waist) smiling at me. I said hello back and we started easily chatting about soccer, kids and life in general. After the 5 or so minutes that we talked it was clear that we had many things in common and it felt like we were old friends. Suzette was kind and genuine and I think I was as well. We smiled and said, "See ya next week".
Imagine if she hadn't said anything or if I had not responded. Instead, we are able to chat at soccer games and greet each other as friends at school functions. I am happy to say that I know and admire her and her beautiful family. And ya know that I'm gonna like her cause she named her son after a baseball player.
Recently at the first grade awards assembly, we sat by each other as we watched our two six year olds receive the award for...you'll never guess...being friendly to others
**
while our two four year old boys played with each other like they've been friends forever.
So I felt the need to snap a picture of the radiant Suzette and the thrown together Mindy.
If only it had that nice Chuck-E-Cheese's border around it.
Just goes to show ya...being childlike isn't bad. So yeah, I know we're all in a hurry but next time you see that cashier at the store who never judges you for getting Ho Ho's every single time, give her an extra bit of conversation. (Unless it's the one at Costco who asks me every stinkin' time if they're all mine). And maybe the receptionist at the dentist's office would like to hear about something other than your bi-cuspids. Or leave a comment on the blog of someone you don't know but love to read. (I'm getting better at this, I just feel so stalkery).
Or maybe just a simple hello to someone you don't know cause...ya never know...
This picture:
could end up in their wedding video. :)
Here's to being friendly.
**remember me mocking the high quality photos at Chuck-E-Cheese's....yeah sorry.
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