Today, on a whim, my two youngest boys and I boarded the car and made the fifteen minute trek to their favorite playground. It is a magnificent place, a sprawling wooden structure with pointed towers, and tunnels that will only accommodate very small people. After a long week of being told not to run or scream in the house, they were now free to do both, and get dirty too, outside in the glorious weekend air. What a deal. My four year old and I took a rocket ride; my ten year old, less apt to fantasize, threw me a ball. I sat down to rest, and absorbed the jubilance around me. I took notice of one child in particular. He appeared to be about six years old, with a round face and stocky build. What was particularly noticeable was that his hair was sparce and patchy, as if he’d recently had radiation treatments. But on this day, he ran fast, jumped high, and smiled widely as any kid would. On this day, at this time, he was not sick, his parents were not heartbroken and fearful, and life was simple. For a moment I felt light. The laughter of children is a hopeful sound if ever one existed. They are born into a hard world, but with such pure promise, like lilies springing to life through cracks in the asphalt. The world has not yet had a chance to corrupt them. I wondered what the future holds for each one. For now, everything is still simple… there are no schedules, no overdue bills, no big decisions or deals to make. All that comes later. I thought, “If only there was a way to preserve this carefree innocence.” Sadly, there is not. I was in their place once, and I know innocence is fleeting, and big concerns increase with the passage of time. One day, they will assume my place, and hopefully will have been sufficiently guided and nurtured as to somehow affect the world for good. Maybe they will discover how to be content in spite of everything. Some won’t make it, and others will exceed all possibility. Most will fall somewhere between the two. Time will tell. But for now, the moments are golden, and the laughter is priceless.
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Monkeyman Member
Posts: 15810 From: N. Wilkesboro, NC, USA Registered: Nov 1999
------------------ -Alex 1986 Fiero GT, STOCK Wingless, 1987 Fiero SC, Stock, 1984 Fiero Indy, parts President of FieroMontreal... www.fieromontreal.com and Regional Director of CFOG-I for Eastern Canada. www.cfog-I.org
Fogelthorpe: Next nice day, drop the kids with grandpa, you & the wife go to the park, & play. Before Jane became so ill, we used to go do 'kid' things all the time. It's time well spent.
You have a gift of observation, and a talent for communication. Thanks for taking us there with you.
------------------ TRiAD Motorsports ~ Performance Tuning of European, Japanese and Domestic Automobiles Project MR1 / Let the modding begin! ~ triadtuning@hotmail.com * AIM ~ Michael Blue 72 Only the dead have seen the end of war. ~ Plato
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Mar 10th, 2002
Fierowrecker Member
Posts: 1858 From: Lowell, MI. USA Registered: Mar 2001
When I was that age all I wanted to be was Tarzan. Every Saturday morning the house was filled my yells and the thump-thump of my rump coming down the stairs. I still want to be Tarzan, damn this spare tire and sore knee.
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12:23 PM
Ferrari Fan Member
Posts: 1594 From: Newport News VA USA Registered: Jan 2002
That is one of the greatest things I have ever read, almost brought a tear to my eyes reading it. You are a true example of a man that I would be proud to call my father.
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12:56 PM
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California Kid Member
Posts: 9541 From: Metro Detroit Area, Michigan Registered: Jul 2001
Originally posted by maryjane: Fogelthorpe: Next nice day, drop the kids with grandpa, you & the wife go to the park, & play. Before Jane became so ill, we used to go do 'kid' things all the time. It's time well spent.
Also keeps you from turning into an "Ax Murderer"!!!
