Finding My Inner Child

This past weekend I went with my family to an old childhood spot. The place I am talking of is Idlewild and Soak Zone. It is considered by many to be one of the best family parks there is and I can agree. I remember it would be the highlight of summer getting in the car early and driving to Ligonier, PA. After a couple of years not going we decided to trek out into the woods to re-visit the amusement park.

Once we parked the car, the section right in front of us was Story Book Forest. This is where they have all our childhood stories pieced out into areas filled with structures and statues. I was able to recall the times running around the home of the old crooked man and climbing into the cut outs to get pictures with my sister. This time was no different, I am still able to climb through and into the small buildings meant for children. There were a few stares from people wondering what an adult woman was doing. It did not matter to me because I was having so much fun.

Going around the rest of the old amusement park felt nostalgic. There is an old school carnival and 20th century vibe to the place where it feels like home. All the colors and rides remind you of the fun in the old west or taking a train through the large forest around the park. You can honestly forget about life outside this little section of the world and be a kid again.

I do not know what triggered me there to think about what “childhood” was. Looking around at all the children exploring brought a smile to my face. They all were laughing, running around and in awe of everything. I can imagine the times when I was a child and seeing the place for the first time. Learning first hand the stories through representations I saw presented and pretending to live like the characters’ in them. As a kid our imaginations were limitless when we played or drew. The world was our oyster which we wanted to learn and experience. That childhood innocence we had for a short while starts dwindling as we get older. From life lessons or being told what to do, we lose the sense of being free. Of course things change as we do and learn what is right or wrong. Yet sometimes it is hard to find our innocence we may have lost. I saw the wonder in all the little faces that passed by me. I wondered where my innocence and sense of wonder went. Over the past few years I have tried to understand where I have lost my inner child. It is not as if I can put up a missing child poster on the street because she is not actually lost outside. I became not as care free and worried about being myself who enjoys living fully.

From past jobs and school performances I got to interact with children. They would always be so excited to tell me a story or to have me join in playing with the dinosaurs. Each one would make me laugh so hard and smile to big because of their little trains of thought. When I performed as a clown in a show once, none of them could believe an adult can act as silly as they can. They all wanted photos with me and after I was out of costume asked me so many questions. About how I was able to do stunts, remember all those lines and perform what seemed like a work out yet I wasn’t out of breath. I replied it was magic and they believed me. Later doing workshops with them, they all still remembered me and wanted to show off their skills. Each worked their butts off to impress me. I felt so honored to have worked with them for a short time and to have inspired them. I can remember their faces of excitement when I reassured them if I could do it so can they. That is what I want to go back since they had as well inspired me to do.

The saying many of us can recall “don’t be childish be child like” rings true. We should, no matter our age, reclaim our childhood mentality. In the sense of wanting to learn and see the world with fresh eyes. Go on vacation or a road trip and find the happiness in exploring. Laugh from the depths of our bellies to sharing smiles with others. Sing and dance any where, not caring who is watching us for we never really did as a child. Deep down I remember that rebellious little girl I was, who went along to the beat of her own drum. I have been working on finding my inner child and I encourage you to do the same. If you ever can make a pit stop at the old world kind of amusement park.Maybe you will feel what is to remember and be a kid once again. I know it did for me.