Wheeee!!
A most wonderful, awesomeness thing happened to me recently. It may not sound like a big deal, but believe me, gentle Google Reader, when I say- it is.
I have re-discovered the simple pleasure of swinging.
Before anyone closes the window or deletes me from the Reader, please, do scroll down another paragraph or so. I promise, it’s not what you may be thinking. Oh, and get your dirty mind out of the gutter.
Our local council recently decided to upgrade our tiny local park (not the same one where the cows where a’roaming) from it’s mouldy, mildewy, spider-invested play equipment that, unsurprisingly, no one really played on; to an uber-cool, fire-proofed, funky new set with a slippery dip, net climb-y thing…
… and a swing set.
I used to love to swing when I was little, what ever happened to that? I think I became a teenager, maybe. And then swinging just wasn’t cool anymore.
I’d forgotten about pushing yourself back and forth, pumping your legs to gain height and speed. I’d forgotten how the fluid motion of swinging feels like weightless flying. I’d forgotten what a freedom it was to have your toes pointed directly at the sky. I’d forgotten the sheer exhilaration of your stomach dropping as the chains on the swing go lax.
I’d forgotten, I think, how it felt to be a kid, to have all your troubles stripped away while the breeze rushes through your hair.
And I’m hoping it’s quite a while before I forget again.
Because it’s given me something back, those few minutes at a time on the swing set. A few minutes of reprieve. A few minutes where I remember exactly what it feels like to be a child. The importance placed on the moment, on the how-things-feel-right-now. It doesn’t matter, you see, if our electricity bill is late, or if I’ve forgotten to take the meat out of the freezer for dinner again, or how on earth am I’m gonna get this kid to sleep in her own bed? For a few minutes there, all that matters is the act of swinging. Of flying. Of touching the sky.
And of not letting my worries touch me.
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Great post. Everybody loves swing. It feels like back to the time of being little one sitting with kids on swing sets.
I'm a swinger too! Big time. My kids have to fight me for a turn when we go to the park.
One of Justine Clark's (from Playschool) cds has a fabulous song about swinging which I love as well.
I read the heading and thought "oh dear" hahaha… I knew you were kidding though. I am not overly fond of the swing. It makes me sick!! Have a great day
My bum's too big for swinging at the moment, but I do enjoy it!
Every day! My girls love it, and I've conned the little one that pushing Mummy is fun.
So lovely! And I must be a total nerd cause when you said swinger I knew exactly what you meant. *sigh* How NOT exciting my life is.
I can remember long, deep and meaningful conversations whilst swinging with a boy I had a huge crush on. There's something amazing about swinging…I get that Titanic "I'm Flying" feeling!
I love this post. I know what you mean about the importance of remembering what it feels like to be a child, living in the moment. I get that feeling running around the yard with my dog. Unfortunately, I can't swing, even though I give it a try periodically, I get sick for the rest of the day afterward. My daughter loves swinging though, and I love watching her, she can swing for hours.
I;m a swinger too, whenever I walk past a park, I can't resist popping in for a swing. DH and I went for a walk late one night and stopped for a swing…I said we better go before the neighbours call the police because we were laughing and giggling so much xx
I'm a swinger too, love it
we always end up at a park on Mother's Day & I have a swing, so it's funny that you should post this today.
I'm trying to teach Z how to jump off the swing now
I can't swing anymore *sigh.
As soon as I lift my feet off the ground I wanna spew.
I'm a swinger, too.
I LOVE it!!
Swinging rocks, and i've always known it (even as a teenager ).
Now i cant wait to introduce Flynn to the swing set so we can have hours of fun together!
Damn, I was hoping for the white gravel out front, keys in a bowl kind of swinging. But hey, this sounds like fun too.
Oh Lori, you gorgeous thing. You made me just wanna zip out there and jump on our local swings. Thank you……xx