THE GROWN-UP HATS
A story time is something that a lot of people have experienced in their lives. I am sure almost everyone will talk about that one favourite story that was read to them at school, at a child’s function or at bedtime. And if it was anything like what I experienced on the first day of Empowering Women Among Us (IWAU) activity series then I will say story time is worth it.
Let me start with mentioning that I don’t remember any story times from my childhood. That could be because I never had that privilege of having someone read to me or I just have a mind of goldfish. I will surely let you know that I don’t remember anyone reading to me because of the former reason. Growing up in a place where the grown-ups were too busy to make time to read stories to us or too illiterate to read at all, being able to finally have someone read me a story brought me joy that I did not know existed until now.
A special shout out to Pelvis who made this experience enjoyable as they were the one reading the stories. They brought to life each and every word that was written down and simply breathed life into a reading experience in a way I have never seen before. This was a really good time for me, and I am sure many others who were in attendance.
The biggest thing that stuck with me even now days after the drag Storytime is that we need to take off our grown-up hats now and again. As people who are considered grown in society, we are always on our toes to act and think as grown-ups. We always tell ourselves to be grown ups even if people don’t tell us to because as social beings, there is an expectation that everybody has of us. So, imagine my shock on how it felt when Pelvis asked me to give them my grown-up hat before they started reading the stories? It was magical and freeing to be in a space where I didn’t have to act in a certain way to not be seen as different. I was simply told to be myself and enjoy.
This is something that I personally think we should all do once in a while. Take off that grown up hat and just sit and talk with friends. For those who do not like talking, do some activities that make you feel young and free so you can live a little. Being able to take off my grown-up hat made me see what I missed by not having anyone read me a story when I was young, but I lived in this moment like I was four years old. If there is something that I want you to get out of this is that we are forever young and all it takes to see that is by taking off our grown up hats.
Inspiring Women Among Us (IWAU) is an annual week-long festival at UNBC.
