“We didn’t realise we were making memories. We just knew we were having fun”

A.A. Milne – Winnie The Pooh

 

Oh, to be a kid again.

To be at that tender age when birthdays were days to be excited about and not pesky and frequent reminders that we’re getting older.

To be young enough to see a birthday hanging on the far, far horizon crawling towards us ever so slowly…far too slowly.

And then finally, as it got so close you could feel wrapping paper in your hand and smell birthday cake in the air, that’s when the dreaming could really begin. Not just dreams about the presents. Or the cake. As good as those things were, your birthday was the one day of the year when it was all about YOU.

And what about Christmas?

The first tinselly decorations and the smell of a real Christmas tree hinted at all the magic ahead. The food, the fun, the family time, and most importantly the arrival of Santa. Knowing he would be guiding his reindeer all the way from the North Pole to your place.  To bring presents for you, no less.  The anticipation was immense.  You couldn’t possibly be expected to sleep on Christmas Eve. Perhaps you tried to stay awake to catch a glimpse of the great man, only to wake in the morning to find the cookies and reindeer carrots had been eaten and….  yes! Santa had found your place and left you that toy you really wanted.

And then there was the Easter Bunny, hopping into your home with chocolate eggs but barely making a sound.

And the Tooth Fairy, who magically left a small coin under your pillow without waking you, and it was enough to compensate you for that funny-looking, gappy smile. And what about your first day at school? Or being able to ride a bike on just two wheels for the very first time? Or your first crush?

Remember all of those things?

Wasn’t it awesome to be a kid?

You’re not the kid now. But those magic memories of your childhood should inspire you to create special moments for your own kids.

Before you know it, they’ll be grown-ups too.

They’ll face the same issues you face, the same problems, the same challenges. And when they do, and it all gets a bit much, they might just sigh…

Oh, to be a kid again!

And as they look back at their younger years, they’ll forget about what worries them today, and remember the magic memories of yesteryear.

The memories you are creating for them right now.