Same Place, Different Time

It used to be that on Sundays, I would take the kids to one of the local playgrounds and watch them run around. That was our activity.

Now, our Sundays-like so many others- are full of other commitments like sports or dancing or just having the kids 'hang out' with their friends.

The oldest two are at camp now, so only Lakkanen is at home.

Yesterday was a beautiful day and the two of us took a nice long bike ride.

We stopped at a playground...one that, once upon a time, had been in our rotation.

While these days she prefers to think of it as an American Ninja Warrior course, I couldn't help but revel in the enjoyment she got from playing there.

I felt a pang of time flowing by, remembering how we had visited these playgrounds weekly and now, it is maybe 1 or 2 times a year.

I saw a young family there with two little kids.

I almost wanted to tell them to really appreciate that moment, even though it is stressful as you worry that the kid will fall at any given moment.

I didn't.

I just took a deep breath and remembered all of the moments I'd already spent at this playground.

Then, I took a long hard look at the scene in front of me, knowing that these days are ever more special than I realized before. I looked at the trees, the grass, and my beautiful 9 year old swining around.

It may be a long time before I get back to that playground again. I just did what I could to appreciate it while it was there.