I sat back in a corner and observed. I don't have mad sewing skills so I did not have much to offer. Also, as an older person I find my presence often makes younger people uncomfortable if they don't know me. They feel like they have to behave. So I tried to fade into the woodwork. No need, as it turned out.
The crew was designing padded "parts" for a female character in the play. All these girls are twigs, and the character is supposed to be large. They were hilarious flouncing around and bouncing off each other with the fake body parts. I couldn't help it, I laughed loud and long at their hijinks. It was like being front row center at an old time Vaudeville show. How glorious they were in their bawdy innocence. They were boldly comfortable with the shared silliness. Most of all, they were happy, young, and goofy.
It was comforting to know that when girls are in what they consider a safe space, they will still act like the children they are. I hate the pressure our society puts on young girls to grow up too fast.
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| Each one, a joy unto herself |
Good to see that. My happiest moments are two or three girl get togethers and all the giggling. It never ends. And the best is Meredith, who has not learned to modulate her voice and probably never will, rising above the rest, "I just hate that!", and they all collapse in a pile of giggles again.
ReplyDeleteMakes me wish I was part of the gang.
DeleteWish we could film those moments for them so that they could grow up and see how silly-sweet they were. I think it would help a lot of people to see themselves so innocent.
ReplyDeleteAnd the photo - glorious!
Thanks, Liv. Yes, I hate that we tend to forget how to be silly. Nobody does silly as well as girlfriends.
DeleteI think you sell yourself short. Girls that age feel a kinship with us older folks for some reason. They feel that they can act silly and know that we will appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteI like that! I think you might be right.
DeleteLovely. reminds me of the times when my mother's mother (my other granny) brought me, aged 6, along to her coffee afternoons with her female friends, who would all be darning and knitting and singing.
ReplyDeleteThey must have thought everything you did was the cutest thing in the world.
DeleteI'm with Emma. I bet they like you being there. It takes a village, right?
ReplyDeleteYes. I was wondering at one point if they were actually showing off FOR me.
DeleteOne more older woman in their lives who appreciates them in all their silliness can only be a positive thing!
ReplyDeleteTrue! Hey - I put my sewing machine up a month ago and still haven't used it. Sigh.
DeleteWhat a wonderful moment, watching young teenagers play with all their delightful innocence. It's nice to be reminded that that still happens.
ReplyDeleteIt was. I enjoyed being around them.
DeleteMy partner runs a basketball club for girls in 3rd thru 8th grade so we are often around their exuberance. It's so great to see kids, without their devices, just being kids.
ReplyDeleteYes, especially without their devices. Their exuberance is joyful and infectious. Good for your partner, by the way.
DeleteIt is what I miss most of my daughter's chold/teen years. . the girl gatherings. What fun.
ReplyDeleteIt always seemed like something exciting was going to happen when the house was filled with a bunch of goofy girls.
DeleteGirl Gatherings at any Age are always so much Fun! I agree, the pressure put upon Young Girls especially is ridiculous... actually the pressure put upon Young People in general to grow up too fast... they have all the rest of their lies to be Grownups, precious little to enjoy Childhood! Dawn... The Bohemian
ReplyDeleteAt any age - you are so right.
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