My Connections to Play

                    2 Quotes that summarize what play represented for me during my childhood.

“It is the child in man that is the source of his uniqueness and creativeness, and the playground is the optimal milieu for the unfolding of his capacities and talents.” ~Eric Hoffer

“Play needs direction as well as work.” ~Elbert Hubbard

Resource:

www.quoteland.com

                         3 pictures of essential play items for my younger self

Pretending to play school was always fun!!!

Working on my game was a great help in my development!

Pretending I was a super star, and gaining a love for singing... something  I continue to do today. :-)

Play is totally different from when I was engaged in it as a child. I say this, because when I was younger, yes, I had a Nintendo, or a gameboy, but I also ALWAYS went outside to ride my bike, or play basketball, kickball, baseball, and so forth. I even played house, cooking (in the dirt), and much more. I used my imagination to engage myself in play. Where today, there are many children do not really go outside, and are more engaged by electronics within the home. 

Play was very influential in my life; from the times of me pretending that my bike was my car, and I always took my  parents’ parking space in our driveway, or playing house on our back porch, using my baby dolls, and cooking like my mom, but in the dirt. Play became really influential when I began to gain an interest in singing, and my mom bought me a karaoke machine that I would carry everywhere, and just sing, even if I was by myself, pretending to be performing a concert for millions of people, or when my father encouraged me to become great in basketball, by working day in and day out. If I was not introduced, nor allowed to engage myself in play, I would not me the jewel that I am today.

Relationship Reflections

Relationships and partnerships are very important to me. Having the development of relationships and partnerships help nourish my needs for social involvement, as well as help build my knowledge by gaining unknown information from others who are more experienced. 

This relationship meant  the world to me... I love my husband so much, and I am so grateful that God saw fit to bless me with a man that He created in the likeness of Him. We have been married for 3 years now (September 4th), and even though we are separated at this time,  I thank God for this relationship !

The relationship that my sister and I have is very strong now, especially since the recent passing of our father, (our mother passed away in 2001). My sister and I are 13 years apart, (she is older... lol...), so we really did not have a strong connection until I went to college, and grew up a little bit.  Now, we are BEST FRIENDS!!!! There is not a day that goes by, that we do not communicate. I love my sister!!!!

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The relationship that I have with my youth group at church is very important. In order to create this relationship, I had to gain trust, and prove my worth to these youth and young adults, and show them the blessings and the anointing God has instilled within me.

The relationship with my students is very crucial. When they first attend the center, the relationship is not established, until they gain the trust in you, and see that you are there to care for, and protect them. I always tell my students, "Ms. Sese loves you, and I promise I will not let anything happen to you". And God knows I mean this!!!!

The relationship that I have with my nieces is a funny one. I am their "second" mother, however, they will confide in me, and ask me for advice a little more than their mother; my sister. I love them, and am very proud of them. They are growing up to be very responsible young ladies.

The same feeling that I have for my nieces, I have for my nephews... These are my babies!!!!

Youth Group from Church @ Christmas Parade

These are my younger brothers. This relationship is very interesting, because these men are really my cousins, but when my mother fell ill, I resided with my aunt/Godmother, (their mother), and we were raised as siblings... and you can not tell us any different!

This is me and my old assistant... this relationship grew from a professional relationship, to a personal friendship. Even though she has moved away, we always find time to communicate with one another, and are always there for one another, no matter what!!! I love this chic!!!

Youth group from church, at Creation Museum.

These are some of my staff. This relationship has also grown from a professional to personal. All of us, (my staff) have a wonderful, family/friend oriented relationship. This can be difficult sometime, because at times, there were those who took advantage of my personality, but I then realized that those individuals did not qualify nor fit into the style center we are conducting.

  Relationships help build my emotions and my social relationships with people. Not only am I able to become more confident and more relaxed in my everyday dealings, some relationships allow me to love and be loved, and that is the greatest feeling in the world!