So, I played today. I rolled up my sleeves and dug through old boxes of notes and letters and pictures. Fascinating how these artifacts bring everything back, the feelings, the thoughts, the events.
I was once 12, the age of my character, Sadie. Actually, in lots of ways, I’m still 12. But now, I’m also 13 and 21 and 33, with all the experiences that have come since.
Why was looking at old letters and cards playing? To me, playing is any time I let go and let myself be surprised. When I do something just for fun, without any real plan. Younger Naomi surprised me. She was silly, passionate, and the kind of girl who lost herself in fits of giggles in Algebra class and had to be sent out into the hall. She fussed over running the mile, and lost the volleyball championship for her team because she was too busy dreaming to pay attention. She created a lip sync in which she dressed up as Lucy Ricardo, and her best friend played Ricky. She baked a huge heart-shaped chocolate chip cookie for her crush for Valentines Day. She had horrible 80’s bangs.
You know what surprised me most? Even though this younger self had dreams––lots of them––and plans like you wouldn’t believe, most of her life was full of joy. Friends and fun. I wouldn’t mind having a little more of that in my life now. Minus the bangs of course. Anyone up for a lip sync??
