#Writephoto : double derelict
Just got internet access back again about 1/2 hour ago. I’m trying to do catch-up with my email. 🙂
But first…
“Grandma! You lived in…in…that?” My 10-year-old granddaughter asked.
Wearing multi-colored leggings that probably glowed in the dark, and a bright blue t-shirt, she huddled next to me as if a ghost threatened to come out and attack her.
“We had a rose garden, 3 acres of apple trees, and lots of grass to play on,” I said.
“But the roof is caved in and nothing’s left but stones.”
“There isn’t a thing on Earth that doesn’t become a derelict over time.”
“Can I text my friend Emma?” She asked, looking toward our ride home.
“No. Your phone is in the car next to my hiking gear for a reason.”
“Why?”
“There’s a young oak just waiting to be climbed,” I said, pointing to a 20 foot tall specimen with strong arms.
“I can’t do that,” she said, eyes wide. “It’s not safe.”
“I’ll climb the tree while you explore what’s left of the orchard.”
“Grandma! You know I can’t do that! Someone will call protective services on you if I’m unattended.”
“What?” I laughed, looking around at miles of land without internet service. “I remember running through the orchards, chomping into a crisp, sweet apple, taking in a breath of air that smelled of wild flowers, and laughing as I climbed an old oak tree a half mile from home!”
“You ate food off a tree?”
“And it tasted better back then, too,” I said.
“But it has to be inspected and have an expiration date…”
“When it comes to raising children, this generation is derelict,” I grumbled.
“What does that mean, grandma?”
“It means you’re no fun,” I replied, walking toward the car.
Oh no! I child that has no desire to climb a tree. Wow! Time does change our youth. My daughter is 27 and she said as we drove by a tree in our neighborhood, that a certain gnarly, low to the ground tree would be an wonderful climbing tree.
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I’m glad to see that some adventurous souls still exist.
I read about a mother who had allowed her daughter go down the block to a park and protective services was called. She was doing something that our parents thought nothing of doing and nearly lost her child because of it.
This world is getting so screwed up.
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Wow! Yes, so screwed up. The joy of childhood is exploring, but in a safe environment.
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Haven’t found “safe” yet. A person can break their neck walking out the front door. That’s the strange thing: More people die from car accidents than anything else, and we worry more about a child going to a park than getting killed in a car accident.
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So true!
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Our grandkids are a worry aren’t they, they see fun in things we would have found totally boring I think..loved this story by the way…
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Thanks. 🙂
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Oh the days of scrumping!
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I still climb trees now and then, but not as high. 🙂
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I look, and remember!
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I called in to see my two-year-old granddaughter the other day and found her playing barefoot in the garden and makeshift paddling pool, squealing with delight ignoring all the ‘dangers’ of sunlight, dirt, germs and insects. Her parents were encouraging her and joining in. I would hate to see that spirit quashed by the over-proectiveness we are learning to impose on our children and ourselves.
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Your description of your granddaughter’s childhood made me smile. 🙂
I agree. Over-protectiveness in certain areas can be detrimental to the spirit.
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My granddaughter will, I hope, continue to learn about the world by diving in head first 🙂
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Excellent take on the prompt. Force that child up that tree. Ha ha. Or you go first 😀
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My sentiments exactly. 🙂
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Hahahahaha! Loved it!! “This generation is derelict”! This is probably the best take on the prompt i’ve read!
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Thanks. 🙂
Prompts are so much fun to do.
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They sure are!
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