You may not have ever thought about it, but after today you may. The things I saw through my back porch door window on the day to day. Who wonders what happens within the park, the people you will see walking by or the kids at play? It goes a little deeper & beyond, and it changes from day to day.
Some people have a simple backyard with flowers and a fire pit. Then there’s others like me, who get to view the lives of many happenings through the window beyond my fence.
There are many tall trees within the park in which are a cover to provide shade, but they don’t stop the sun from shining through at the peak moments of the day.
People walk winter spring snow and sunshine. I see joggers jogging, and pet owners walking their dogs. I see kids on scooters riding through, or maybe a skateboard or two. I hear the balls bouncing and look up to see people of all ages playing basketball in the courts. Then as I look through the field, I see tennis players. I can hear the splashes of the pool and sense the enjoyment with their laughter.
I always loved how benches were placed so sporadic, yet far enough apart…where people could enjoy sitting by themselves, have a conversation, maybe even read a book.
I see the mothers on the benches as they watch their kids at play, making friendships over conversation about what they’re doing later today. The children don’t want their play time to end and keep asking for ‘just five more minutes’ as mom and dad say “yes, OK,” for the seventh time.
You see the book reader intently reading a real great fiction story, or as they turn the pages they may be gaining new knowledge of something that they didn’t know before. There’s a statue at the fountain with water flowing out of it. I see people sit there along the concrete bench. Some just sit and watch as people walk by. They watch the birds, they see the cars driving by, or catch a glimpse of the pretty flowers in the neighborhood yards.
It comes to that time of day when I hear the carousel music, so I know that the merry-go-round is now open. The line starts to form, and people find their way on and off. Some take one turn, and some spend a whole hour as they ride on different horses each time.
On certain days, the breezes blow and there’s less people. Other days even amidst rain you’ll see umbrellas popped up as people take their walk. You see lovers’ hand in hand, maybe they’re a new couple, sometimes it’s an elderly couple.
There are days when I see lots of happiness. There are so many events in the park for people to enjoy. It may be a picnic with a little family, or sometimes a family reunion. Sometimes I see a mom sitting on a blanket with her baby playing with toys.
Some days I feel a deepness. There’s a couple having an argument. A little boy skinned his knee and his mom rushes to her car to get her first aid kit and Band-Aid his boo-boo.
It’s later in the evening and I can hear a crowd cheering. As I hear the hits of the balls to the baseball bats, I know it’s the teams playing their evening game. Spectators will watch as one team wins, and another loses. Everyone goes home a little refreshed because they’ve had some time out in the fresh air, enjoying an old past time that I’m glad still exists today.
There was a band playing under the pavilion top just a few weeks ago. I worked my way down and enjoyed a great time of music and a small crowd of people.
Some days I make it beyond my back porch window and I sit out on the 2nd floor patio that overseas the beautiful park. Other days I just enjoy my view. Yesterday, the sun was shining a certain way and I could see my own reflection.
I said “Perhaps today, I’ll stay inside and reflect from within myself.” As I lift my eyes, beyond my reflection in the glass I see different elements of the park and its experiences. I think back on my life. At one time it was me playing hopscotch in the park, catching the ball, asking my mother for five more minutes. There were times it was me in that pool, as much as I hated the smell of chlorine, I loved feeling refreshed over splashes on a hot summer day. There were times it was me feeling annoyed that I had to once again sit through my brother’s baseball game, but what I would give for that today just one more time.
I remember the day when my dad sat next to me as I rode the horse on the merry go round. But I can’t remember when the last time was. I remember the prom in the park and the photos we took. I remember walking my first dog, and spending time as he pulled me with excitement running after the squirrels. I remember the boy I shared my first kiss with on that park bench. I remember crying under the tree at that park when I had my first heartbreak. I saw many couples become engaged there through the years. It always helps me to reflect back to the day my husband took me to the fountain where he asked me to become his wife forever.
I still live in the same house, so my kids have many life experiences in that same park. Whether it was my daughters swimming lessons, or my sons track meets on the trail, watching the eager bunnies, or enjoying a slow walk with my pregnant daughter-in-law. The memories are endless in that little big park.
The park always gave me a place to wonder. I wondered about the people, I wondered about nature. I realized I had a wonderful life.
As I sit here today in my little lawn chair in the middle of the park, yes, I felt good enough to use my cane and sit centerstage. I looked all around as I turned my head to different places. I think to myself, “how did I get here?” Not how I got to my seat, but I can’t quite think when the last times were. The last times of me with my parents and other family. I don’t remember the last time I pushed my own kids on the swing, and we walked away from that playground, never knowing we wouldn’t be back again. It’s not something you plan, it just happens. Something else comes up and then another thing. One day you’re pulling into the parking lot for your daughter’s tennis tournament her senior year as you look over to the playground, and realize you never planned for your last time with her as a child with just what seemed a few years ago.
There was a simplicity in the park as busy as it could get. Even admist the loudness, there has always been a sense of quietness. Perhaps it was a voice within me saying to be still and just take the time to enjoy the moments. As I see my reflection there through the glass, I’m not as young as I once was. I still see me through the reflection, but I’m just an older version of myself. I still have my sense of wonder that keeps me watching and pondering.
I can navigate through the park on a good day, but other days I just enjoy the view through my back porch window.
Tomorrow, I think my daughter and great great grandchild are going to meet me at the park, and maybe they will push me on the swing. Hopefully it won’t be the last time…but it could be the start of some new beginnings! It’s never too late you know…as long as you still have life within you…you still have moments to enjoy.
The door is always open for you to come and sit with me behind my back porch door window… or I can point out the perfect bench that would love your company. There’s one there, and there, and oh over there too. There are so many great views. In the middle of your making moments memory’s…when you look up at my house be sure to wave back at me and smile. I can only hope you’ll see the reflection of your smile through the window of your own life!