It was after more than five years that we had visited Cheltenham again. Cheltenham is a regency spa town and borough on the edge of the Cotswolds, an area of outstanding natural beauty in Gloucestershire, England.
The last time when we were in the town, it was to visit the same couple with whom we have been friends for more than ten years. There was however a striking difference in the meeting this time versus the last time. We laughed whilst discussing how in the last five years, our bellies have grown, the hairlines have receded, the houses have become cluttered with toys, and how our lives have become all about the two lovely kids both of us procreated.
The gang of four kids, with age groups varying from 18 months to 4.5 years played with each other like they needed nobody else other than themselves. Kids can so easily become friends with each other, there are no barriers for them.
Whether they can speak the same language or not, look the same or not, wear the same or not, eat the same way or not, feel the same or not, nothing really matters to them. They always manage to find a way to derive the lowest common denominator amongst themselves on the basis of which they can have fun with each other.
I particularly noticed how even though all the four of them were together for the first time, they knew that behaving was the only way they would get to have a nice time with each other and be made to meet more often. There was no jealousy of you having more toys or better toys, no competitiveness of I am better than you or no craving for attention.
They were in their magical land of shooting stars, the fairies, unicorns and mermaids. In their land, there was always something for everyone to do, something for everyone to be so involved in that they could call it their own. They happily played with each other irrespective of their differences in age, physical dimensions or mental acumen. It was as if they had a magic wand that allowed them to treat each other equally.
I crave for a world where we are all children again!