Too Old For That... (GM)

That phrase in my subject line bugs me to no end when I hear it. Wether its an adult telling a child that, or a person telling themselves in their own mind, it is bull and should not be listened to most of the time. You're never too old for enjoyable and safe childhood impulses. There's nothing wrong with having fun on a swing at the park, or killing an hour of free time playing a fun "childish" game, or watching a great "children's" movie or TV show. Just because you're older doesn't mean any of those things should be frowned upon or discouraged. This is one of the greatest handicaps our society puts on adults and drills into children as they grow. It's simply not right.

A little over 2 years ago I was at a beach on a very hot beautiful summer day. I was with a young family that included a 6 year old gorgeous little girl, and an eight year old happy-go-lucky boy. They were great kids, and generally a great family. But one moment left a bitter taste in my mouth the rest of the visit at the beach. The girl wanted to go in the water and hadn't gotten her bathing suit on yet. There were no change rooms anywhere near by, so she instantly started to strip down on the blanket. My heart of course leapt in my chest and I fought the urge to stare as she did so. Just as she started pulling off her shorts and undies (her T-shirt already forgotten on the ground), her mother leapt up with a towel and wrapped it around her little body. She scolded her, "You're getting too old to strip down and be naked in public." The girl was instantly very embarassed as her mother's comment and "grown up" embarassment transfered to the girl, who moments before hadn't given it any thought at all. So she finished changing into her bathing suit awkwardly in the confines of the towel, cheeks flushed with shyness and embarassment. I felt so bad for her but was too cowardly to make a coment to defend the girl or suggest that there had been nothing wrong with her actions.

It's true that her beautiful little nude body could attract attention. It certainly attracted mine. But my mind wasn't concocting vivid rape, abuse, or even sexual acts with the girl because of it. No. I was enthralled by her natural beauty and her free spirit.