THE SECRET ROPE discovered by (my children!)
i would love to tell you where this is.. but i'm sworn to secrecy.
after church sunday, and before sue tasker's memorial service, my children invited me to come see them swing on "the secret rope"
we are blessed to have many manicured green belts, manufactured parks & playgrounds here in pleasanton.. but this is the best place i've seen so far -natural, heavenly, peaceful-
close but with a far away feel
and some kind person with a loving heart tied a nice thick rope to a spectacular and tall tree allowing children who dare, to swing amongst the trees over a sparkly brook -birds singin', squirrels scatterin', kids playin'
those swing sets at the park, with chains and seats over bark or sand; just can't compare
-to taking turns anchoring one foot in the loop at the bottom of the rope, holding on tight with both hands, and..
letting go -gently flying back n' forth over rocks and water.. insect suprises all around
-to the trickiness of the one-footed landing when your turn was over. -to the tip-toe stop on the small dirt hill, the balancing and racing to get your other foot out of the loop before the weight of your body and momentum of swing took you for an extra ride
nothing but smiles as i watched the near misses.. false landings
"catch me taryn!" jack would beg laughing.. "help!"
and so taryn would grab jack with both arms, skid down the hill just shy of getting her feet wet, and help him unleash his foot from the loop
she had her own, independent, exit strategy, increasing each time the speed with which she could get her foot out of the loop.. but this took a few entertaining tries to master
when not fast enough, a huge smile would emerge, and she was forced to swing a couple more times over the creek singin' "my arms are tired!" until she could get a landing solid enough to make her magician-like escape
everything about it was fun and magical;
peaceful and beautiful
"i could stay here all day," jack said "this is my happiest place"
"don't go tellin' everyone about this mommy," taryn said, "this is our secret place, okay"
"okay" i said smilin'
and i watched and smiled and prayed.. took some pictures of course
and wished a place and time like this for every child in the whole wide world
then at sue's memorial, i met her daughters for the first time. three strong, beautiful, obviously loving young ladies, and i loved hearing the memories, the adventures they shared with their mom; the memories, adventures they shared as a family. she took a lot of pictures too
she wrote about a lot of wonderful things, i thought to myself ...
and did a lot of things wonderfully write
so shall we.
posted by SHE @ 7:19 AM
6 Comments:
Aw, reminds me of my place when I was a kid. My parents live in the woods and down the road there was a pond and a creek. And there was an island in the pond. My brother and dad and I built a bridge made of tiny logs and strung up a rope from one tree to another. The island was totally my place-whenever I was sad, mad, whatever I came there to just sit and think. Oh wow...okay, traveling down memory lane at a rapid pace now!
T-Minus 3 days and counting till V-Day!
karma: -sounds like heaven..
to build a bridge with tiny logs.. and hang a rope tree to tree..
this type of family time
an island in the pond.. that feels your very own and welcomes your being no matter the mood
nature such a wonderful gift
-and break a leg-
you'll shine very bright, i know it! much love, ~s.
What a great find, those are the moments that make for a magical childhood
How absolutely glorious!!!! Manicures are SO overrated. Give kids (and me) the wild outdoors any day for real exploration, learning, and fun!
12:02 A.M. FEBRUARY 13, 2008
I'm first!
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday Dear Sandy Cheeks,
Happy Birthday to y-o-o-o-o-o-o!
And many more!
8": thank you, yes, -and there oughta be more magic in all childhoods
kmg/bbf: i love your blogs and pictures from the wild outdoors.. thinkin' write now of a colorful river trip i took a while back on luxuriouschoices...
squidmann: -you bring me my first smiles too. -you won ")
love all around, ~s.
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