I spent the majority of my childhood running around that yard in bare feet; exploring, hiding, hiking, climbing, digging, wading, pretending. It's a HUGE yard, with a creek(ish), lots of trees, a mountain, a pond, and even a large swamp. G has just begun discovering the joys of playing in the yard. After I picked her up and gave her a kiss, she squirmed to be let down and took off "running" (as fast as a 17 month old can run on uneven ground, up hill) toward the tree swing. It brings weepy emotions to think of all the fun she'll have sharing the same play space that I enjoyed as a kid. And as for me, it's been a long (too long) time since I walked around that yard in bare feet. It felt great!
We don't have that kind of yard at our house. We have a small fenced in yard with a big patio. But we make the best of it. And we have been spending large, large amounts of time out there lately. We also have a park a block away with a huge sandbox and a great jungle gym. Though different, I still think it's a pretty neat place to be a kid.
I often stop and think about the kind of memories G will have about her own childhood. Memories of that great big yard and our little one, too. Memories of bubbles and sidewalk chalk and the sandbox. Memories of running free and feeling the grass between her toes and climbing trees and going on scavenger hunts in the woods.
I am so glad that some day we will be able to share similar memories from different childhoods. And memories that we made together in her childhood.
(That's chalk dust and bubbles all over her shirt. You can't see it, but there is chalk dust in her hair from emptying the chalk tub and putting it on her head like a hat. Priceless.*)
* Please ignore our ghetto fridge on the patio...that's the old one that is going to John's Dad's...SOON!
3 comments:
That brought tears to my eyes, Kami. If ever there was someone who could wholeheartedly share your passion for childhood times in wide open spaces, it's ME! And so sweet that she can have your parents' yard to run it, too.
Kristina, I sometimes feel bad that I can't provide a bigger space for her at home. But then I think how lucky she is to get to spend all day at her grandparents and I see how she treasures our home, too, and I know that everything is just right. And I do feel grateful that she has that space to run wild!
She will have fabulous memories no matter where she plays. She has a wonderful set of parents and she also gets to spend her days with her grandparents.
That sound pretty much like the makings for the perfect childhood to me :)
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