Then we remembered back to our own childhood nights of running around with the neighbor kids or nearby friends in the twilight and evening hours of summer. Instantly we were reminded of the carefree feeling that accompanied those nights, how we felt so grown-up and excited to be living life after the sun went down, a jittery joy in our bellies. And we thought: we live in a safe area, on a quiet residential street that makes one big circle and that has only two entry points. So with reminders to be careful about cars and to watch where they are running, we let the two oldest go out.
Josh lamented greatly that he could not be included in the fun. But 6 is just too young. We would never even have considered it when Zac was 6, which was where that final decision came from. However, we have tried to be gentle towards his tender feelings about being left-out, and have allowed him to stay up watching the games out the window, reading a book, or watching a PBS show on TV until the big brothers come in, rosy-cheeked and out-of-breath, at 9:30.
Starting next week night games will be over except for weekends, as all the boys will be shifted back to their school year bedtime schedule of lights-out at 8 for Luke and Josh and 8:30 for Zac and Ben. For now, though, on these last precious nights of summer vacation, when evening lightning and rain storms aren't keeping them inside, we can hear shrieks, squeals and yells coming from the darkness as my boys play games with terrifying names like "Murder in the Dark," "Ninja" and "Bloody Murder." And it is hard to hear the joyful sounds of their play and not be carried away a bit in the memories of youth: the pleasurable heebie-jeebies of feeling safely-scared, the splendid freedom of friends playing in the night, the sweetness of feeling "grown-up" while you are still a kid.
5 comments:
I have so many memories for running around after dark in the summer. So much fun. Thanks for the reminder that I need to let Hannah do this every once in awhile.
How fun!!
This is why you are a better mom than I....I would probably let Kate go, too, just so Dal wasn't alone. :) So far, the kids in our neighborhood aren't night-gaming, but oh, the fun memories!
You described memories and feelings so well, it warmed me up. I loved the games in the dark, but ours were called these gentle little names, like Fox and Hounds. Murder in the Dark....shivvvver...
So fun to read as the same thing happened when we recently moved to our new neighborhood! I also hesitate but loved the feelings as a child, being outside after dark. My kids play Boogie Man, Kick the Can (haven't heard much noise from that one!) and capture the flag. Thanks for reminding me of how I felt as a child and not just thinking as a parent!
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