PLAY

I grew up with an older brother. He is six years older than me and was never home when I was. He stayed at his dad's on the weekends and pretty much didn't want to hang out with his baby sister. So I played by myself or had friends over. My mom would send me outside almost every day. Since we didn't have a play set or concrete for a hoop I had to make up my own games. I would take my imaginary friends on nature walks (or my real friends, if they happened to come over that day). I grew up in North Central Florida with all of the old oak trees. They lined our front yard until I was in high school. Each tree was huge and covered in Spanish moss. The palms and shrubs below would cover the ground. We also had a hickory tree and sweet honeysuckle for me to identify and play with. I would pick the blossom off of the honeysuckle and carefully remove the stamen to suck the sweet nectar out. When I went over to my best friends house growing up we would play in her sinkhole. I know what you are thinking, who in their right mind would let to little girls play in a sinkhole!? Isn't that dangerous!? Well, if you grew up in Florida you know which sinkholes are stable and which ones are active. The one in her backyard was stable and not sinking anymore. It was FULL of palms and brush. Her brother was the same age as my brother and I remember having water ballon wars among the shrubs. I don't have a picture of her sinkhole, but I do of another Florida sinkhole. Her's didn't have this much water in it, unless it rained a lot that year.When I did play inside it was mostly with normal "girl" toys. Polly Pockets, Barbies, Play-Dough, Little People, and American Dolls were just a few of the things I liked to play with. Now my play is a little different. I like to play board games with friends or play with my kitten who will fetch a marshmallow like it's no one's business!

Relationship Reflections

“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, “What! You too? I thought I was the only one!” – C.S. Lewis

This is how I identify with all of the relationships in my life. I build relationships that are based on mutual understanding, kindness, sarcasm, love, and happiness. Through all of the good and the bad I find that all of the relationships that matter just grow closer and closer together.

There are five people that come to mind when I think of my support system. Dad, Mom, Micah, Casey, and Amanda.

My dad is of course one of my biggest cheer leaders. I feel support and love when I think of him. He sternly makes sure I am doing well at work and school. He asks with a furrowed brow if I have enough money. He emails when he sees a funny picture I would like. He has been there to move me seven times in the past seven years. Only a dad would do that! Part of maintaining my relationship with him is being sure to talk to him on a regular basis. It is important to call and talk even when neither of us has much to say. I usually call with a funny story from school. This is one of the two relationships in my life that are never going anywhere.

My mom is the other half of that equation. She is strong and nosey. She is loving and always thinking of me. She was always at my soccer games and made sure to take me to church every Sunday and Wednesday. Because my mother and I were so close there were always fights. We always disagreed and yelled, but we never left it at that. It was always forgotten in the morning. Now that I am grown my relationship with my mother is more of mutual understanding and trust. We talk on the phone and have dinner every so often.

Micah is my boyfriend of six years. He is my confidante. The person who makes me laugh, smile, and cry. He knows me better than anyone else and often knows what I need before I do. Our relationship is ever growing and we rely on each other to be understanding and supportive.

Casey and Amanda are my best friends. They are the two that will be there for me no matter what. I lived with Casey, which means she knows more about me than any one person should. She opens my eyes to culture, music, books, movies, etc. I wouldn’t dare be as smart as I am today without her. Amanda is the calm, peacemaker. She is the “Hey do you want to take a walk at the trail?” or “Do you want to stop and get some tea?” kind of best friend.

Each of these relationships teach me something about myself and helps me relate with other individuals. This will help when I go to meet those that I teach and work with.