I just got back to work after having a week off to relax and recharge. I didn't travel or go camping or anything, but I did spend some time with family throughout the province. I mostly just hung out, went shopping and did some chores around the house. But I did have an experience that was exhilarating and fun.

I played tag with my 5-year-old niece.

Real tag. None of this, "I'll-pretend-to-run-and-let-you-catch-me-and-then-let-you-get-away-and-chase-you-slowly-because-you're-only-five-and-smaller-than-me." Nope. I'm not that kind of aunt. It was an all-out, full-tilt run around the playground until we were panting and thirsty and laughing kind of tag.

She kicked things off by suddenly tagging me on the arm and running off while shouting, "You're it!" I stopped for a moment, shocked and surprised. Then I ran through the sand after her, gaining on her. She saw that I was serious (with a twinkle in her eye) and took off for higher ground. Smart kid. She figured because I'm a grown-up and big, that I wouldn't climb over monkey bars, run to the top of the slide and crawl in the sand to get under platforms. She was right - at first.

There were other kids there - lots of them and most were between 4 and 9. I stayed on the sand in the open areas for awhile to avoid running into other kids. But then the game got boring. My arms weren't long enough to reach her at the top of the slide.

So I went in after her. I chased her up, down and through the playground. I jumped over platforms, under monkey bars and ran over a bridge. My favourite moment was when I caught up to her, tagged her and yelled "YOU'RE IT!" before running like mad in the other direction.

That was when I actually forgot I was all grown up. I felt (and acted) like a little kid playing at the playground. It was one of the best experiences I've ever had, because it's so fun to PLAY. She eventually got too tired to continue, which made me feel really good about my physical health!

There were other adults there - parents supervising their children, pushing them on the swings or catching them at the bottom of the slide. But none were playing like I was. I think I got a couple of dirty looks - and a lot of laughs - but I don't care. That's a memory I'll cherish forever. And I hope my niece does too!