Where can you find pure, innocent joy in a hectic, grownup world? | Suzy Fleming Leonard

If you ever want to witness pure joy, volunteer for a few hours at a kids' bouncy slide.

When Rockledge First Lady Theresa Price asked a few weeks ago if I'd volunteer for the city's 2023 National Night Out, it wasn't a tough decision. It's an honor to give back to the city where I live. I immediately said yes, even though I wasn't sure what National Night Out was.

Turns out it's a lot of fun.

National Night Out began in the mid-1980s as a campaign to promotes police and community partnerships. The Rockledge celebrates National Night Out with a fall block party, complete with hot dogs and burgers, candy corn and pumpkin painting. There was also a music, a K-9 demo and face painting.

I arrived at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Fiske Boulevard just before 4 p.m. on Oct. 3. The fun was set to start at 4, so Alice Deakins with the Rockledge Police Department gave me a quick rundown of my assignment: Monitor the inflatables. Make sure the kids don't rush the attractions.

I'm not going to lie. I was a little nervous. I don't spend much time with people younger than 40. The bouncy house-aged people are mysterious unknowns in my world.

Holly Daski, my co-volunteer, gave me the rundown. Of the multiple inflatables set up in the big field behind the church, I was to help her maintain order at the giant slide.

The 15-foot contraption was set up right in front of the petting zoo. Maybe during one of the slow times I can go pet the goats, I thought to myself. I looked around. There were a few people trickling in, but not a massive crowd.

I helped a boy of about 6 scramble onto the springy platform and watched as he climbed the ladder to the top. Swoosh! With a shriek and a lot of giggling, he landed at the bottom. He grinned as he bounced off the exit and ran back around to go again. I couldn't help grinning, too.

For the first 15 minutes, the same four or five kids made a continuous loop: up the ladder, down the slide, back in line. There was a fearless 3-year-old girl in a red outfit who didn't want to stop, even for a hotdog, and a boy, who was probably 10 or 11, perfected his technique, going down spread-eagle, arms and legs crossed or cattywampus.

Then came the onslaught. Kids of all sizes and ages. Girls with roses and unicorns painted across their foreheads. Boys with Spider-Man webs and dark patches emblazoned around their eyes.

Some needed a parent of sibling for reassurance before carefully climbing the ladder. A few got nervous at the top, not sure if they were ready to make the 15-foot slide down. Most screamed with glee and hopped back around for another go. And even the most reticent were willing to give it another try.

One spunky tyke turned around and gave a thumbs up every time he reached the top of the ladder.

There was an occasional crowded push toward the ladder, but for the most part everyone was polite and orderly, despite their excitement and eagerness for their next turn. If only these youngsters could teach grownups on social media to be so kind.

Before I knew it, three hours had bounced by.

I never got the chance to pet the baby goats, but my face hurt from smiling, and my heart was full from three hours watching the raw, unabashed joy of youth.

Theresa, go ahead and sign me up for next year.

Suzy Fleming Leonard is a features journalist with more than three decades of experience. Reach her at sleonard@floridatoday.com. Find her on Facebook: @SuzyFlemingLeonard or on Instagram: @SuzyLeonard. 

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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Rockledge National Night Out brings community togetherness and fun