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Walla Walla, WA
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Thursday, June 8, 2023

Take Me Back When …

April 11, 2023
Rob Canfield

Reissue: Originally Published June 18, 1993 

Rob Canfield

I wish I were 10 years old again. Remember those days when school was easy, homework was nonexistent, girls weren't a problem, you had no chores and you could ride your bike all day long? When I was 10, I went to school, came home, rode my bike until dark, ate, did my spelling words (big whoop!), and went to bed. How simplistic can you get? I loved it! Well, what I mean is, I love it now that I look back. Back in those days I whined to my mom that my life was boring and uneventful. Now I have so much to do that I complain to my mom that I wish my life was boring and uneventful. 

In my three previous years of college, I have found little time, other than sports, for myself. I would like to think of myself as unselfish, but I sure do miss those good ol' days when I could do anything (well, as much as my mom would let me) I wanted until I got tired of it. Now when I have "free" time, I have to sit and think for a I think we need to take time to be kids again. minute about what I want to do. 

I remember going and catching tadpoles, climbing trees, building jumps for my bike, building tree forts, playing marbles and jacks, collecting, sorting and trading baseball cards and doing countless other activities when I was 10. 

I think we need to take time to be kids again. Take an afternoon, go to the park with a friend and go on the merry-go-round and slide. Some evening, sit down and make a bead necklace for yourself or a friend. Set aside a Sunday afternoon to pull out all your sports cards and sort them. You may find you have a real fortune. All those cards of your favorite sports hero may now be worth lots of money. Imagine how the following week will go after finding out that information. 

I am not saying that you should abandon all responsibility (but wouldn't it be nice) and revert back to being a little kid. I merely suggest taking a break, schedule it if you have to, and do something for yourself. Think back to your childhood days and remember the fun times of running through the colorful leaves of fall. Remember playing baseball with the neighborhood kids, your mom taking you to your swimming lessons and going to the fair. 

Why not learn to play an instrument, take on a new craft, choose a hobby and go with it. Take karate lessons. Learn to square dance with a friend. Just because you are in college now, doesn't mean all your fun should stop. Make your stay at Walla Walla College memorable. Join a club. Learn to rock climb. Read poetry. 

Write poetry. Take someone to the symphony. Buy someone flowers for no reason at all. Some say it's not fun growing up. I say, let's make it fun! 

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