We Made Our Own Fun

We Made Our Own Fun

This is a space for quiet reflection and shared experiences

June 15, 2026

Dear Friend:

The hopscotch board was already drawn on the sidewalk when I stepped outside. Someone had left the stone sitting on number one. By lunchtime the roller skates would come out. By afternoon someone would organize a baseball game at the playground. We didn't need much to keep us busy. We made our own fun.

I also remember playing catch in the yard with my brother. One day my brother had an idea. He took me down to the neighborhood playground. My brother's friends were in the field playing baseball.

The boys were not too happy to see me. They were waving their arms in the air and yelling, "No girls! No girls!"

My brother was not deterred.

I was very anxious and not sure what was going to happen. My brother walked up to a couple of the boys, and there was a very spirited discussion. Arms were waving, and the boys were clearly unhappy.

The discussion ended, and my brother walked up to me and said, "Throw a pitch. You better make this count."

I knew these boys were his baseball buddies, and there was a lot riding on that pitch for my brother. I did not want to let him down.

I threw my best curveball.

The boys were impressed and let me play.

This was so typical of my brother, he always had my back. I could count on him.

There were other ways boys and girls enjoyed their summer vacations. My sisters played volleyball. And then there was the summer recreation program. Arts and crafts was also one of my favorites. The counselors came up with all sorts of activities and games to keep us busy.

One thing I particularly remember was the “shower”. The local fire department would  allow the counselors to hook up a type of shower device to the fire hydrant. The water would come out of the device in an arch. We would run through the water shower and invent games to play.  There was always plenty of kids to play with.  Some of the kids would stand in the street waiting for the spray to begin and others would wait with anticipation to run into the shower. After the shower my friends and I would spread out our towels and sit on them to dry off. It was a real treat on a hot summer day.

My sisters and I were very good at building tents in the backyard. We would sit inside and play house or play with our dolls. My brother wasn't interested in any of that. Instead, he and I would take our Hot Wheels and dump trucks into the backyard and create our own construction projects. We dug up dirt, moved it around the garden, and had a wonderful time. My parents, however, were not nearly as enthusiastic about our landscaping efforts.

Summer was always a time of freedom and adventure for me. I loved to take walks and explore. A few times I was so caught up daydreaming about my adventure and forgot my boundaries. I was not a willful child, just full of adventure.

On Sundays we would go to church and then we would go to a park for a picnic. We would do some fishing at that picnic. We each had our own pole, not a fancy pole, a cane pole. My father would bait the hook and show us how to throw our line. We would sit on our little camping stools and fish. We mostly caught little sunnies and my Dad would throw them back. My parents later said it was the only time we were still and quiet.Our dogs also came along and enjoyed all the attention and pats on the head from people passing by.

Looking back, it wasn't the hopscotch board, the roller skates, or even the baseball games that made those summers special.

It was the people.

My brother who stood up for me.

The kids who played alongside me.

The counselors who kept us busy.

My parents who gave us the freedom to explore.

Those simple summer days taught us lessons about friendship, kindness, and community that have stayed with us all our lives. Those memories remind me that some of life's greatest joys were never things at all. They were the people who shared those moments with us.

What are some of the stories from your childhood?

Until next time, stay well, stay safe, and stay connected to those you love.

Be well,

Emma

Emma is the voice behind Sharing with Seniors, a blog dedicated to honest conversations about life in later years. She writes about everyday challenges, meaningful decisions, and the importance of staying connected.