Let’s just get one thing straight, I’m not old. I’m not. Really. But I’m starting to realize that things are not necessarily what they used to be.
This weekend, after the quintessential Father’s Day BBQ with my in-laws, we stopped by Chris’ old elementary school. A place he gained many stories that have been the evening entertainment for my daughter lately when she asks sweetly, “Will you tell me a story? A new one?” Folks, we’re running out of stories.
So as we leave the BBQ, Aliyah asks to see her daddy’s old school since she’s already heard so much about it and he mentioned taking her to see it.
We play on the bright and cheery playground, of which none of it is actually from when my husband attended, except for the row of swings. The sturdy, classic swings.
Chris sits down into one and begins swinging and a flood of memories flow through my thoughts. Playing over-under with friends, having contests to see who can get the highest, jumping off and trying to make my landing look cool even though it really did hurt my ankle. So I sit down into the swing, push myself back and start the collaborative process of gaining height. And I’m all WEEEEEE!! for about 20 seconds and then just about fall onto my face as I dig my feet into the pebbles to stop the forward motion before I heave hot dogs and baked beans all over the play yard. Yes I just said that.
I didn’t even know what to say when Chris looked at me with those gorgeous baby blues and crooked smile, besides chuckling out a very uncool “Woah.”
So I tried again, and the result was just about the same, though adding a head-spin into the mix. But I couldn’t get off the swing, not with my daughter climbing into the seat next to me holding out her hand to grab mine, and saying, “It’s okay mama, I’ll help you get high.”
Not a phrase I want to hear from my daughter in any other context. Ever.
But for now? I may not be able to swing high enough to dangle my legs out over the grass and compare heights based on how far we can see, but I’ll take the high I get from holding the sweet hand of my daughter and swinging in tandem any day.
And for the record… I’m really not old.
allenaim photography and design says
“It’s okay mama, I’ll help you get high.” ah-hahahahahaha! 🙂
That Janie Girl says
Oh, Tab, that’s funny!
“Let me take you hiiiiiighhhher!”
Groovy, chica.
One thing’s for sure.
You’re NOT old.
Gerri says
Oh Honey, I remember that happening (late 20s I think). That’s ok, other “skills” will reveal themselves…39 is knocking at my door and I just KNOW my superhero power will reveal itself by 40!! LOL
Adrienne says
Perfect combo of funny and sweet! The “punch line” is one for the memory books!!
Karl says
Very cute… the story, the two girls swinging, and of course the famous line,” It’s OK, I’ll help you get high”. I mean how many times have I heard that one… well not lately anyway… Great post Tabby, so proud of you, Love daddy:-)
Nessa says
This is hilarious! I almost tossed my cookies on the tire-like swing at the playground a while back… I am not old either! What we do to make the littles happy.
llq says
this is soooooooooooooooooooooooo gorgeousbridal jackets
Corey~living and loving says
we are both so very old. I get sick on the swings now, too. 🙁 no fair. I used to love to swing.
Jessica says
hahahaha… I took the boys to my elementary school yesterday 🙂 And I can’t swing anymore either. Totally flips my brain over, I swear. John & I were laughing about being old and how the crap are we going to ever take them on a roller coaster!?! Try doing a somersault. I couldn’t get my bearings for 15 minutes. We are not old… just sadly accustomed to being grounded 🙂