Once upon my time

Miles sometime separate us during these trying times. I want to go back to when all we feared was catching a nasty cold that although annoying, we managed to get through. Some chicken soup and cartoons maybe a day or two with no school and we were good to go. We had our childhood nasties like the chicken pox and the mumps but like most things back then the family doctor would stop by and get us feeling good leaving strict instructions for mom to follow. It seems we were just tougher once upon a time.

We played in the rain and the snow and mud puddles were there for one reason, to jump in. Many a day we would walk in the house looking like a frozen mud pie. Some of us brave souls played football in the street as soon as the ice melted enough to run on. We played in t-shirts that froze from sweat to ice in minutes. We ice skated on frozen ponds until the water formed on top telling us if we didn’t want to fall in, we better wait for the next freeze.

We played in the woods and all it had to offer. Hide and go seek is a whole different game when played in the forest. We explored the seasons each having their own special gift to give like white blankets of snow or lush meadows where wed catch fireflies in mason jars. Slow moving streams were perfect for our home made boats that wed watch disappear around a bend .Halloween meant creating a maze in the woods daring anyone to enter it as some of our older siblings would jump out sending the little ones running for home.

We made bikes out of spare parts we’d find in the dump or discarded in the woods. They were nothing to look at but we didn’t care because we knew eventually they would go over a cliff or into a pond while we tried to imitate evil Knievel. There was always something exciting and challenging to keep us occupied. We made sail boats for the streets by taking a piece of plywood and nailing on roller skates in every corner. A broom stick tied to another and an old sheet made the perfect sail. One at a time wed push it to the top of a hill and everyone except the rider pushed it as fast as they could until they couldn’t go any further. The rider sometimes caught some wind in the sail and sped ahead to the shouts and cheers of friends.

Staying inside on days to cold to go outside weren’t so bad. We would build things with Lincoln Logs or building blocks of all shapes and sizes. If you had an erector set countless hours could be spent building everything from cranes that worked to Ferris wheels. Comic books and Nancy drew mysteries captured our attention until mom asked if anybody wanted to bake cookies? We had a television set, but it was off limits unless mom or dad said it could be turned on. No color just black and white and usually not very clear until dad went up on the roof and adjusted the antenna. There were three channels, NBC, CBS and ABC. Saturday mornings meant our favorite shows, Sky King, Hop along Cassidy, The romper room, Captain kangaroo and more.

Presently stuck at home I take time to remember the good old days as well as the good days I have today. Talking to a friend or relative far away wondering as we all do what waits ahead for us? Times may have changed a lot for folks my age, but some things will always be the same. We have the love and support of family the trueness of friendship and the belief that as a nation we can overcome any adversaries if we work together for the greater good. One nation one purpose to see our country heal and move forward to a better tomorrow.