To Be Young....

I remember, as a kid, having more fun with less stuff. Working at a high school, I see what passes for fun with teenagers, and, most of it doesn't sound like fun. After a beautiful weather weekend, I will ask students what did you do over the weekend. After the initial, ''Nothing'' answer, I will press them and they will say that they stayed in all weekend and played video games.I have nothing against them- I played them in school too, remember Atari?--- But, there doesn't seem to be anything involving going outside and enjoying the weather or your friends. I find this sad.                                                                                          As a kid, summertime was all about enjoying every moment of the day. After sleeping late-- its allowed in  the summer--- a quick breakfast with Mom and then outdoors with my friends. Most of the time was spent playing baseball and pretending that someday we would be playing for the Cubs or Sox. Who knows, when you are a kid anything seems possible. Then back on my ten speed, and, have lunch with Mom-- Mom was always home,by the way. After the grilled cheese with Velveeta, back out with some friends for more ball, and, this was always important, to play baseball where you knew the girls would be. That was when you were at your sharpest-- the worst thing to do was to drop the ball in front of a cute girl!!! You were gone all day, there was no danger in the neighborhood and your parents knew your friends parents. Home for dinner, Dad came home from work, my sister and brother were there. Some warm conversation around the table, and, usually an argument with my brother was commonplace. Evenings were family time and since there were only 3 channels, everybody in the family, and everybody in your friends family, watched the same t.v.shows. I would go to bed late .The whole process would start over again the next day.                                                                                                                                       This was fun. I don't get that sense of fun with the kids now. I see kids with every electronic device under the sun telling them what fun is. I don't see the natural ability to ENJOY. The suggestion to try to have fun with less is met with a blank stare. And I feel bad for them. Childhood and young adulthood should be filled with joy and possibility. First love, cementing life long friendships, and, the freedom that comes with the young is paramount. Where did all that go? Has the world changed so much that simple things are lost? I hope not. I wouldn't trade my youth with today's youth in a second.