It all started with a list of errands almost as long as my right arm. I hadn't had the energy to do them the first part of the week so when I woke up yesterday feeling somewhat energetic I decided that I would tackle some of the errands on my list. The park was added by my son. It had been a good couple of weeks since we had been to this particular park and I guess we we overdue according to my son for a visit. He likes it there because of the slides. One slide curls around a bit sort of in a half circle so you get a little twist when you slide down. And according to him the swings are bigger and go higher.
It was decided that we would go there first since it only made scence to go there before the grocery store. I had visions of ice cream melting while we were at the park and my son enjoying the high swings. We drove up, me having all the windows down sort of wishing I had a convertible just until menopause was over. The good part, hardly any kids were there. Only a few happy toddlers running around only stopping long enough to try to go on the slide the wrong way. I remember those days.
By the time we crossed the street to the park I had already taken off my light jacket and tied it around my waist like I used to do when I was in grade school. I migrated to the wall all the parents sit on while watching kids swing, slide and running around climbing structures. I had barely sat down and got my little hand fan out which I have now decided to take most everywhere I go. Then I heard my sons voice calling me from a few feet away. I asked what he wanted although I knew the answer. He wanted me to give him a push on the swing. So, I got up from my spot on the wall and walked the few steps to the swings. I extended my arms to give him a little push, moved myfeet a little and bam my feet slid out from in front of me as I slipped on a plastic shovel I hadn't noticed before. I went tripping past the swing landed on the side of it after I rolled a little on the wood chips near the swing.
I almost felt like all this happened in slow motion.. My son asked if I was okay. Other then being covered with a million wood chips I was pretty much good. As I was sitting there on my butt I got a fleeting thought about I must be getting old and for a second I thought about that television commercial with the older woman and I laughed aloud. I am pretty sure that a few parents and kids thought I was nuts. Then I said also out loud how am I going to get myself up off these slippery wood chips. Well, I just put one foot in front of the other and prayed for the best. I used the pole by the swings and pulled myself up. It kind of felt like I was trying to do a pull up. It took a minute but I was up off the ground and brushing myself off. Sort of like what happens in life but this was literally me brushing myself off and getting up when you're down. Then I thought I am too old to be falling accidentally in a kiddie park or anywhere else.
A few more minutes of swinging for my son and a couple more times going down both slides and a couple of pictures later we were off to the store. Off to get some ice cream.
No comments:
Post a Comment