Saturday, September 29, 2018

"My Connections to Play"


I have chosen the following two quotes that represent what play means to me in  my childhood.






The first one reminds me of what I loved to do as a child was to be free and let my creativity be free when playing.  It is about knowing that children do have the opportunity to be free and play so they can become free.    








The second quote also reminds me of my childhood because I always liked to explore and living my life by playing was something that helped me escape to a world in which play was my life.  









 


As a kid I loved to play with marbles and I could spend hours exploring with them.  I also loved to play on my bike and I used to have a friend that did not have bike, so we gave each other rides.  I remember that many times we fell and hurt ourselves, but we didn’t care we loved going places on the bike and having fun. 


I have to thank both my grandparents for always making sure that I was a kid growing up and exploring.  They loved taking me to the park and having me play climbing trees, making friends, playing ball, soccer.  Everyday after school they would take me to the park to play so I learned to love the outdoors. 


It is sad to see that play has changed.  I have a son that loves technology, but I am also very cautions to make sure that he doesn’t spend hours playing with technology.  I love technology as well, but I believe that children still need to explore the outside and play.  So, I make it a point to come home and take my son out to play for an hour.  I want to follow my grandparents’ footsteps and show my son that exploring outside is very important for his growth.  Yes, play is so much different from when I was younger there were so many kids playing outside on a daily basis, today you go outside our community and I see a handful of kids playing outside or on their devices sitting on a bench. 
I know that I grew up being a big dreamer because I loved to play with anything I found.  I could get a stick and pretend it was a bat, sword, fishing pole and I would make up games playing with a tree stick.  I always let my imagination run wild, but I was a happy kid playing, exploring and feeling free.   I believe that we must continue to instill in our children that exploring the environment through play is very important for them.

Saturday, September 15, 2018

Relationship Reflection



As I sit and reflect about the relationships I have throughout my life I have to say that my grandparents have been a big part of who I am today.  They both raised me and helped me see life as it really is.  My mom has also been a big part of my life because she was a single mom that raised my sister and myself.   

 








I then met my wife and she has completed my life.  She is my rock and has always believed in me when I have doubted myself.  I have three step daughter that have also been an awesome experience in my life and could not think how life would be without them.  My seven-year son has also been part of my life and him and the girls have taught me how to be a better father and friend.






 





















I have a very small circle of family and friends, back in Colombia I had friends that I grew up with that also made me realize that friendships are important to have.
 I feel that I'm a very lucky guy because I have the best wife, and children any man/father could ask for.