JPG Magazine: Stories: Photo Essay: The Playground

The Playground

By Stuart Lloyd

12 March 2008

This past Summer I, my wife, 2 boys and nephew were traveling the great state of Texas doing research for a book she was writing. Passing through one of the many small towns we drove by a playground. My youngest asked, "Dad, can we stop and play?" We were a little behind schedule and had quite a long drive ahead of us so my response was, "Sorry buddy, we don't have time." He sighed, "Ok."

Ten minutes later I felt like an ass. I had done something that I had told myself I would never do. I had sacrificed some real quality time with my boys to save some travel time. I swore that I would never let that happen again. Luckily the next day, one of the small towns had a playground. As we were driving past, my little one again asked, "Dad, can we stop this time?" My chance at redemption had arrived and I pulled over into the parking lot of a small but entertaining playground. The boys had a blast (even the 14 year old).

Sitting there watching them, I reflected on my own childhood. While I'm turning 39 this March, it seems as though my childhood was 100 years ago. I was born into an age before video games, cable TV, CD's (or even iPods, for that matter). What we had was the outdoors. And the outdoors included parks and playgrounds. Hours were spent climbing, swinging, sliding, running and jumping. We always had a good time at the playground.

The fun always outweighed the torment that was inevitable later. You see, I had agonizing growing pains as a child. And they were always at their worst after a day of hard playing on the playground. They were so bad that I can remember them to this day and I can't remember what I had for supper last night. My Mom would try her best to make me feel better, giving my medicine, rubbing my legs, and holding me as I lay there crying. "Maybe we should stay away from the playground for a while," she said one night. The thought of that sent shockwaves through my body. "NOT go to the playground?" I thought. This will not stand. Again, the fun outweighed the pain.

There was one park in particular that I liked most of all. It had EVERYTHING. Rocket ships? Check. Flying saucers? Check. A fort? Check. Numerous crazy characters that you could ride or climb on? Check. It was "Heaven on Earth" for anyone between the ages of 4 and 10. But like so many other things in our life that we "outgrow" I, eventually outgrew the park.

So there I am, 38 years old, happily married to a beautiful woman, proud dad of two fine boys and uncle to another. What's a grown man to do? Go play of course. And I did.

Now I don't presume to call myself a wise man. After all, I'm only 38.999 years old and we all know that wisdom is something you gain around the age of 60 (I've got 21.001 years yet). But let me share a little "semi-wisdom" with all of you. Take your kids to the playground. And not just once or twice. Make it a weekly part of your life, because they grow up too damn fast. Sure, you're tired after a long day at work, you may have even brought some home with you, but none of that is as important as the bond you share with your kids. And by share I mean, play. Don't just sit there on the bench and watch your kids, play with them on that rocket ship or that swing, or that slide. They will love you for it and you will discover something that you've missed since you were their age... Fun. Fun, in all it's sweaty, tiring and forgotten glory.

So, the next time you're sitting at home, going through the monthly bills and your kids are playing mind-numbing video games, get up. Get up, put the bills away for a while, take the game controller from their little hands and get in the car. Drive down to the local playground and rediscover not only your children but, yourself as well.

The story continues with each picture in the series. If you have children, I hope the stories inspire you to share a playground with them. If you don't have children well, I hope it inspires you to take 15 minutes out of your schedule and visit the local playground yourself. You might just have fun.