dream a little dream with me....

although my parents moved to the city when i was little, they told fanciful stories of growing up in their hometown.  add in a little girl and boy with pretty lofty imaginations.  throw it in the basket of a blue banana seater hurling down 2nd street.  then hoist it up to the branches of a tree house made entirely by dreams.  haul it down to indian creek for a dip in the water.  put a few tadpoles on top for good measure.  mix it all up and wish on a star while holding your granddaddy's hand and you've got it.  just like magic.  my childhood. 

about the time i started having little ones, i felt this stirring in my heart...bringing to mind all of those magical times.  i had this huge wish for the boys to be able to roam free in the woods, ride their bikes wherever the wind took them, explore and have adventures beyond their wildest imaginations.  just like we did as children.  to have grandparents watch from a safe distance.  to know they were safe, but feel like they were free.  i have said it before, and i'll say it again and again...everything happens for a reason.  and although hope seemed lost when my dad died, here we are living in the little house in the little town from my memories.  looking out over the same valley, walking the same paths, wading in the same stream.

 

a sweet family in town puts on movie night in the park for the littles to enjoy.  we loaded up our blankies, snacks and drinks and headed out for a friday night town function.  i could hear the joy before i even saw it.  when i turned the corner and saw all the people, i burst into tears.  it was like a huge family reunion, but with friends.  old timers and kids.  a big movie screen.  a popcorn maker.  twizzlers.  rope swings in the trees.  glow sticks.  mosquitoes.  children playing and laughing.  this is the start of the boys memories (complete with my little sprinkles on top).  it's everything i wanted for them and everything my parents wanted for us (thanks mom).  their grandparents will be watching.  and so will we.  and i know they are safe.  and they can feel free.  amen.