Monday, May 5, 2014

Kids Grow Up


Kids grow up, of course they do, but I bet to most parents it still comes as a shock. I know it has to me. What happened to that little toddler who's hand I'd hold as we walked to the park, me singing  While Strolling Through the Park One Day, him dutifully joining in on the, Ahhhhh...

Or the baby girl who would continue to nurse as I ran after her brother, one hand outstretched to catch him if he fell?

They've grown so fast. And when I found out the city was going to tear out the old play structures and replace them with something new, I grabbed my camera and we ran to the park, taking photos at all our favorite spots. It struck me hard that my kids had grown out of the play area around the same time they were going to tear it down.

A few days later, when the city had enclosed the play area behind a protective fence, I peered through in the drizzling rain, tearing up as I remembered how my children played when they were small. The scene could have been right out of a corny movie.

But I'm lucky to have those memories, and so lucky to have my kids by my side right now, growing older and more wonderful each day. I wouldn't go back, I just had to say goodbye.

Epilogue: The new play structures they're bringing in are really cool. One of them is a huge lizard that I can already imagine kids climbing on and embracing, little arms around its neck.



8 comments:

Karen Woodward said...

Memories can be wonderful, and now that you've shared them they're part of others' lives now too. Thank you. :-)

Karen Gough said...

What a nice comment, thank you Karen!

ew said...

I had no idea that the playground was going to be ripped out. What a shock it will be when we come back for our yearly visit :-( Yes, our kids were so little and so cute. Hope the new play area will be incredible.

Karen Gough said...

So far it's looking really good. Thanks for reading this my friend!

Unknown said...

Beautiful post!!

Karen Gough said...

Thanks so much Melissa! That means a lot to me because I love your travel blogs too!

Rene said...

I am not ready for this! Beautifully written, I'm right there with you in the old corny movie. Lovely to connect and thanks for the glimpse... xo

Karen Gough said...

Thanks so much Rene. I loved your camel blog and am looking fwd to reading more about travels with your family!