.... as a child you could leave the house in the morning and not return until dark and your parents weren't overly worried? Ahhh.... I remember those days. Growing up, I lived on what we called a "block"... and we ran from house to house playing. Some of my best childhood memories go back to 1405 S 9th Street....having our babysitter three houes up from us, and my best friend Gary, two houses up. Gary and I were inseperable... and yet, we always seemed to find trouble... or was it that it seemed to find us? We built forts, explored caves, caught lightening bugs, found robin's nest... and laid in the grass looking at the clouds saying what they looked like! Wow... those were some fun times.
A part of me is sad that Austin doesn't have that kind of childhood.... mostly because how our society has changed. I don't know my neighbors the next street over... or on the other side of the neighborhood...so, Austin must tell me where he will be, and I tell him yes/no and when to be home. Don't get me wrong... he has a blast with his friends... just seems to be at a much faster pace than 30 years ago when I was a child.
My wish is that Austin still gets to make memories like Brian and I did as children.... the summer days are endless, and you're exhausted from being outside all day. Running through sprinklers, making our own popsicles, catching lightening bugs and putting them in a jar... that's what I wish for Austin. Lazy summer days..... perhaps like in Mayberry.
