This is Where the Word Nostalgia Came From

It's been a long time since you brought me here
I can't even remember why I came last time
Today, you beckoned me here again
The rain stopped and the place was open to just me

Walking onto the first few wooden planks of the park
Flashes of the last experience here came to mind;
Being caught in the pouring rain
Trying to find shelter under the wooden planks
Which only lead to leaky drops on my head
And a wet phone

Now I'm back to the same old seat
The red one. My favorite.
I throw my keys to the side and take a deep breath
I can see the mix of sun and shadow through my closed eyelids
Pushing off the dirt, the euphoria begins
A drug that begins it's effects right away
A drug with no side effects

Keeping my eyes closed I lose my breath
Waves of nausea fill my limp-less body
All the feelings rush to the surface
And I'm more aware of my age because the skin falls and lifts with every swing
The purest meditation

You knew you couldn't leave me there for long
And a voice came out through the wooden castle
Two young boys in matching black camo tshirts emerged
They just stood and stared until one said, "Hello!!"

With a smile, I said, "hello!"
In past times, an interruption like this would have caused frustration
Though today was marked with a feeling of joy and a new beginning

One of the twins yelled out, "What's your name?"
I responded and asked the same
One then proceeded to ask me a question that has been lingering within me for some time now....
"Are you a mommy?"
My brow lowered as I wondered what kind of four year old would ask such a question
"No, not yet," I answered

These two boys then joined me next to the swing
We talked of the holidays, batman, spiderman
Cars, starwars, who was going faster,
and who was going higher
Plus many other childish adventures

These young lads were being watched by their "opah"
The name they called their grandfather
He wore a hat and a belted blue jean
He didn't talk much but was enjoying himself

Then one of the boys took off and yelled, "come get me GIANT!!"
His grandfather got up and with a limp, chased this child around the park yard
He couldn't get that far before he had to begin walking again

What a blessing to be living around different generations
The young, the middle, and the older
It made me think of my father
Whom I hope will one day be the greatest grandfather to my children
He was a great father to us as kids
The best play toy around
Irreplaceable

I ran my feet across the pieces of wood chunks on the ground
Slowed my pace to a full stop
The boy still swinging next to me says, "Are you leaving?"
"I think so," I said. As if hoping he would ask me to stay and keep being a child with him
But I knew it was time to grow up and keep walking

So I said my goodbyes and walked off the wooden planks to the black cement
Key to the silver hole in my black truck
I entered with the new scent of my air freshener
Looked in the rear view mirror and said goodbye one more time
and drove away with a peace I can never describe

It's been some time since you've brought me here
Nothing will stop you, rain or shine
You will always meet me in this place
And I will never be the same