These days when I tell people I work at Pride Lands, they often look at me with a questioning face and say, “You? But.. What do YOU do there?
Knowing my background as many do, that is a fair question. Maybe they don’t know that I have been working with kids’ theatre groups and showcasing at Armageddon to provide arts classes to teens and families. Most of what people know is my time in the military, my special effect career and that we are child-free by choice.
”It's OK - Go play
That is how I saw myself as well; but all of that changed the day I walked into the Pride Lands office and introduced myself to Moses. After less than 5 minutes he was inviting me to come play with the kids. 3 days later I walked into a school filled with 28 screaming children and thought, “What am I doing here? … I don’t know how to play like this!!” I must have looked confused because Moses walked up to me smiling and simply said, “It’s OK, go play.” … and I haven’t stopped playing since then.
Pride Lands has taught me as much about myself as the kids I work with. I have learned to play, to be silly, to not care about how I look and let my guard down. The amazing thing about children is that you can just be you, weird, funny, vulnerable and honest and they will appreciate you more for it.
I would never have imagined 30 something years ago on a Confidence Course during Marine Corp basic training, that I would be recreating it in a gym using chairs, cones and volleyball nets to challenge kids in a race. Nor would I have thought I’d be having pop-song sing-alongs in a van full of kids at the top of our lungs or feeling a sense of amazement and accomplishment when you hear, “You’re my favourite.” (even if you know that will change next week).
The physical (I’m 52!) and emotional challenges I have faced and overcome as a Youth Mentor have been surprising and life changing. I never saw myself in a place like this and will be forever grateful for the opportunity to join the Pride.
”Growing up, I didn’t have the opportunity to “play” as much or the way other kids did. Now I spend my days seeing and helping kids being able to be kids.
Thank you Moses for reminding me what “Go Play” means.
Darren
