Where IS Delbert?
My dad had gone missing again.
No, he hadn’t abandoned us. Far from it. In fact, when my dad went AWOL from family dinners he could usually be found in the backyard with grandkids or nieces and nephews. He’d be canopied by an array of blankets held up by lawn chairs and barrels that resembled a fine fort or spaceship. Or he’d have constructed some crazy obstacle course that, to the uninformed eye, would look like a croquet game gone amuck. My Dad had learned the art and the power of play. It not only made for happy and entertained kids, but for the rejuvenation and re-igniting of his own soul.
Play was identified by Dr. George Vaillant* as a critical component in living a happier life in retirement. He described it as “learning how to maintain self-respect while letting go of self-importance.” He goes on to say, “Indeed, sober commitment to career is a proper role for the fully employed mature adult. But joyful play is a proper role for both child and retiree.”
So, yes, the second half of life (which includes retirement for some) could be a lot like 4th grade. It can be filled with some hard challenges, but when balanced or framed by a hearty sense of playfulness, there is joy, happiness and even a few giggles.
How do we play at this stage of our lives? Grandchildren make it easier, of course. It’s easy to pretend, dress-up, run around outside, or make funny faces when there is a 3-year-old involved. But, day to day, what can we do to bring play back into our lives? I guess we can pretend, dress-up, run around outside, and make funny faces.
In the fourth grade it is good to discover, create and play. So, too, after age 50! And, discovery, creativity and play are critical to the Re-Ignite experience!
(*Dr. George Vaillant is author of Aging Well: Surprising Guideposts to a Happier Life from the landmark Harvard Study of Adult Development. 2007)
Written by Leona Bergstrom
