And while most of the time he just forgets about all of his art materials (like the stick I accidentally threw away), he surprises us sometimes in the simple, yet amazing ways that he makes use of the things around him. Where else would you use a leaf for a sail?
One night, we bought him a new set of markers because his old set had run dry. He immediately set to work. He asked permission if he could have one of my moving boxes and I gave it to him. So he slid inside the box and started scribbling all the while talking to himself like how mad scientists talk to themselves at the verge of discovering something that will put the world at their feet (insert megalomanic laughter here). So, "this is this and that is that" and a few minutes later he was driving his car that was engineered from a cardboard box, some string, sticky tape and a few markers.
It's amazing what kids can do. And it comes back to me in bits and pieces the way that I used to do it when I was Jakjak's age. All these new toys that transform from a car to a robot, cars that can launch and do a loop the loop, helicopters operated by remote, all of these ... did not exist way back when (or if they did, they were attainable only to the few). I remember having a whole army of Autobots that I crafted out of cardboard back then. And I had my box as well, except mine was engineered to be a jet fighter.
When a child uses his imagination, it is the time that we must embrace it and nurture it. (Though admittedly I sometimes forget myself) We must let them explore the world as they would see it. They would grow up and learn the reality of the world in time, so why should we forfeit them the chance to enjoy the world as they want to see and not how we see it as adults. In fact, I am at my happiest when I think like a kid and play with Jakjak.
Alright! My Omnitrix has finished re-charging! Later!
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