Driving to work the other morning, I heard a story on NPR about a movement presently gaining traction in the midwest – risky play. This unstructured free play, which has been present and promoted in Canadian schools for decades, is thought to foster communication and cooperation between participants, two actions I believe we can all agree should be encouraged in everyone, children included.
One of the examples provided in the report was specifically about behavior on the playground swings. As I listened to the types of boisterous play exhibited on school recess grounds, I was immediately transported to my own childhood spent on the hard packed dirt playground. In my mind’s eye I had a vivid picture of my brother and his friends, all about two years older than I, swinging so high on the swings that it seemed they were in danger of actually looping over the bar in a complete 360 degree circle.
I remember the sensation of my heart beating furiously in my chest as I watched him, wondering if I would ever be that brave. While I never saw that particular feat actually being achieved (but there rumors, of course!), I did witness the boys’ daring free form leaps off of their swing seats into the air as they seized an instant of weightlessness in defiance of gravity.
In my eyes, they literally flew.
Waking this morning to the news of the deaths of Gene Hackman, his wife and their dog, seemed oddly connected to both that news story and the childhoods of children of the 70s. Without a doubt, my favorite of Hackman’s film roles was his portrayal of Royal Tenenbaum in Wes Anderson’s The Royal Tenenbaums. His character, a conniving grifter who has exhausted the goodwill and patience of everyone in his life, returns to his estranged family for shelter, yet instead surprisingly finds his own previously dormant central core of decency.
By chance, I had watched The Royal Tenenbaums just a few short weeks ago. I’m happy to report, it absolutely holds up – it remains a delight. If you’ve never seen it, get to it. And, if you have viewed it in the past, shag ass and watch it again.
“You can’t raise boys* to be scared of life. You got to brew some recklessness into them.”
Royal Tenenbaum
*Obviously, all genders can gain from this philosophy.
DelSo 
in my playground days the girls were just as fearless and flew just as high, and jumped just as far. Including this girl. Now when I watch my grandkids, try it I try to keep my mouth shut.
I have never watched the Royal Tenenbaums. I will see if I can find it on one of my services. Thanks for the advice.