children playing

I have fond childhood memories of playing outside with all of the neighborhood children all summer long! We played basketball under garage lights, jumped on the trampoline, played nightgames, played baseball in the empty fields, etc. There was no age limits. Young children played with teens. We were just one big happy group making our own fun.

I was thrilled when we moved into our current home. Our circle was filled with children for Brakston to play with. They played basketball and nightgames and roller bladed. One of their favorite things to do was play street hockey. They spent hours outdoors having a great time together and,again, ignoring age differences.

Unfortunately, the children Brakston's age were the youngest in their families. Our circle has remained fairly stable so by the time my younger children were ready to play outside in the huge groups, we had no next-door neighbor children to play with. Our circle sat empty of children. No longer did children's laughter and shouts ring out all day long. It was a sad kind of quiet.

I was so grateful when Tonya's family moved in! Yea - young children again. Tonya's son, Jacobson, has hosted soccer tournaments galore. All of my children, even Brakston before he left on his mission, have been found in Tonya's yard playing soccer. Once more the neighborhood rings out with children's laughter. It's one of my favorite sounds and sights!