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Thursday, February 6, 2025

Real Life – Inspiring Wonder

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When I was pondering what to give our young grandchildren for Christmas, I reflected on some of the most awe-inspiring experiences of my own youth, and how to share these across the generations. 

Two very different themes came to mind: spending time outdoors; and attending live theatre. 

Unlike in today’s world, getting outside alone was a given during my childhood. We ranged around our large, semi-rural neighborhood at will. Much of it hadn’t been built out, so there were dirt paths and forests to explore, and plenty of imaginative play using whatever was found around us.

A winter treat was when my father would pile us kids into the station wagon to go tobogganing, or after a sustained freeze, to go skating in the deep woods on Herrick Pond.

Fortuitously, friends had proposed we join them winter cabin-camping with their older grandchildren, a weekend that checked many of my outdoor fun boxes! We also gleefully participated in a host of traditions they had developed during previous trips: Campfires with s’mores; hiking; tree-climbing; a waffle breakfast; seeing Santa—all topped off by a meandering ride in a cart drawn by Belgian draft horses.

We elders and all six of our young crew were thrilled.

In a second stroke of good luck, one of our granddaughters’ favorite shows, Frozen, was being performed the following week at Aurora’s Paramount Theatre. Determined for it to be an inspiring success, I curated every moment, including dressing both girls like Queen Elsa from head to toe. (And of course, I was not the only adult who had that idea!)

The theatre website Social Story offered a photo deck with explanations of everything anyone would need to know to fully enjoy the experience.

The lines were long, as was foretold, and the crowds were a lot for little ones to handle. But this fantastic production awakened wonder, for old and young alike.

Sharing the children’s excitement, though?

The best gift of all. ©

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Patti Koltes
Patti Koltes
Real Life © by Patti Koltes. Contact her at pkoltes@gmail.com.
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