Wednesday, July 20, 2011

The Shuttle and the Swing Set



For most of our children’s lives, we lived just about 30 miles south of Cape Canaveral on a small barrier island, and we loved it! Besides being able to hear the surf and feel the ocean breeze every time you stepped outside, you also had a prime spot to watch all the shuttle and rocket launches from the comfort of the back yard or, in the case of the kids, from the top of the swing set. They watched more launches with wonder over the years, and never tired of seeing the next one. The night launches were stunning and unforgettable.

After moving to the mountains of Tennessee, we stayed busy with establishing the farm, building our house, and having all kinds of great new adventures. One evening while watching the news, we heard about an upcoming shuttle launch. The older kids were lamenting that they wouldn’t be able to see it in person, and our youngest turned and asked with utter amazement, “You mean we won’t be able to watch it from the top of the swing set?” Um, epic fail at the concept of place in the world, I imagine. Somehow he had missed the reality of moving to a new part of the world and what that meant.

After explaining the difference in location to him using the globe, he understood the concept. However, he wound up the conversation with “I always thought that we could see everything from the swing set. It always worked when I was a kid before!” Ah, the simplicity of childhood . . . and the priceless fun and wonder that it brings into our lives.

- Amanda

No comments:

Post a Comment

We love to hear from you. Please comment below. Thanks!