When an anonymous friar looked back over his life he regretted being so sensible. This is part of what he said:

“If I had my life over again “¦ I would be sillier on this trip “¦ I would eat more ice cream and less beans. I’ve been one of those people who never go anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat, an aspirin and a parachute.”

I wonder if you can relate to something of that in your own life?!!

A number of years ago (pre-children) Jon and I visited the beautiful Hever Castle where Anne Boleyn spent her childhood. As we wandered around the stunning gardens we came across the water maze. Brilliant! Notices claimed that there was one ‘safe and dry’ route to the centre, but that if a wrong turn was taken, water would shoot up and wet you. It was fascinating to watch the ways in which different parents dealt with their children at this point. Some sat on benches and watched, helplessly giggling at their soaking children, towels at the ready. One anxious and wailing mother berated her four year old son for ‘deliberately getting wet’ only seconds after having arrived. “You did that on purpose!” she shouted,” You know we are going out to dinner! That’s it! Get out of there!” But the boy did not want to come out. He had only just got in. He was very much enjoying the experience of being momentarily free “¦ and soaking wet “¦ much to the annoyance of his ‘Dolce and Gabanna’-clad mother!

One of the most enjoyable moments for us was watching a very sweet little boy and his equally adorable mother scampering around the maze trying to get as sodden as possible whilst the wider family looked on shouting encouragement. Grandma rolled her eyes at us, laughing, clearly proud of her daughter’s apparent lack of parental sagacity and checking her camera had enough film to capture the moment.

I am renowned for the size and scope of my handbag. I have been known to offer total strangers wet wipes, sewing kits or reading material if the need presents itself. So I can well relate to our aforementioned friendly friar. As I came away from watching the parents and their children in different stages of dampness, I couldn’t help wondering what my own response would have been. Jon and I giggled that I would probably have brought a change of clothes, towels and umbrellas for the whole party, as well as a flask of warming soup and a jigsaw. (well, you never know)

I really believe that much of life is spent trying to be too grown up. We can worry about dishwasher tablets, pension schemes, meetings, deadlines, consuming the right quantities of omega 3, and very easily overlook the sunset, or the birds singing “¦ or simply our heavenly Father’s whisper.

“When I’m gone and my children talk about me, I would love them to say that I taught them great things, to look at the world with large eyes, to reach their potential and to care for those who are weak. But I would wonder if I had missed it if they didn’t add, ‘But what we remember too is that he was fun to be with.'”
(A father, quoted by Rob Parsons “Sixty Minute Father”)

So decide to ‘grow down’ and be fun to be with today. Surely you can find a window sometime?!