Let’s Go Bowling!
Today is my dad’s birthday. Every year, on the anniversaries of his birth and death, I think about what my kids should know about him. What are the things that defined and characterized him?
One of the things that he loved to do was go bowling. He and mom actually met through bowling, though I’ll spare you that story here. (Ha! Spare? That pun wasn’t even intentional, which shows you how truly corny I am!) Anyway, as kids, my brother and I played in bowling leagues. I think soccer was not yet that popular then.
Do they still have bowling leagues for kids on Saturdays mornings? I should check that out. Though they probably have those fancy bumpers and such now. Back in our day, we didn’t have bumpers in our gutters. We had to walk 3 miles up hill in the snow just to get to the ball return. Oh wait…sorry. :D
Anyway, my oldest was the only of my three children who was able to bowl with her Papa. Though he was no longer able to throw a strike like he could in his heyday, we was able to roll the wheelchair up to the ball ramp that the alley had there for the handicap lane. Dad would roll his ball down the ramp, then Samantha would use her little toddler hands to roll her ball down it as well.
I wish the boys would have had that opportunity, but it wasn’t to be. Still, it’ll be fun, now that they’re old enough to remember the stories about their Papa, to take them bowling, share with them all the tips he ingrained into my brain (did I mention he was a coach, as well?), and encourage them with a big smile and a high five like he did.
They may not get to share playtime with their grandpa, but I’ll do my part to pass on the importance of play with them that he taught to me.
What playtime activities do your kids experience with their grandparents or elders?
Photo Credit: magnetbox
Tags: bowling, children, kids, parenting, playtimeRelated Stories
POSTED IN: General Play Library Goodies
7 opinions for Let’s Go Bowling!
She Love Loves to Travel
Jul 19, 2007 at 11:32 am
That is a great way to share stories about your dad with your kids. My own dad died 15 years ago when my kids were pretty young and now they barely remember him. :( Sharing stories on those particular anniversaries would be a wonderful way to keep in alive in our hearts. Thanks for the idea. :)
Kerri Aldrich
Jul 19, 2007 at 10:30 pm
You’re welcome! I find it helps me to remember all the good things about Dad, too. Always a good thing. :)
Bald Man
Jul 20, 2007 at 1:37 pm
Well said, babe.
Kerri Aldrich
Jul 20, 2007 at 4:09 pm
Bald Man: Thanks. :)
Carnival of Family Life #2 | the so called me
Jul 23, 2007 at 12:01 am
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Lisa
Jul 26, 2007 at 9:20 pm
What a great thing to share with your kids. I think it is so important to help make loved ones who have passed on a part of the family still and make sure the younger generations understand what an important part they played in the family.
Dana
Jul 27, 2007 at 11:43 pm
When my daughter was four, a friend of ours offered to take her fishing. She declined saying her first fishing trip was reserved for her grandpa.
She still talks about that trip, four years ago, and it was just to the lake behind their house!
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