Thursday, February 08, 2007

Freak of Nature

After school yesterday, I took Ben to Tompkins Square Park so he could play with his friend before starting his homework.

It was Arctic out. My friend Claude and I did all we could to keep our circulation going while our sons frolicked about the playground as if the first day of spring had arrived.

Now I realize they were in constant motion so their bodies were heating up a bit but what I noticed more is that they were laughing and totally delighted to be playing with each other. Joy, not temperature, was the dominating factor here.

It's been a while since I've been so lost in a happy time that I didn't realize that I was freezing to death. That's life at it's best.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a great written snapshot of life. Glad that you all had such a good time.

Dr. Deb said...

How magnificent!

Linda said...

i wish i was a child again. it has been a while for me too. oblivion by joy/love is something i need to focus more on - though i don't think it's something that can be planned.

Michael said...

How did we lose the magic?

east village idiot said...

Jar - yep it was chilly fun.

dr. deb - Magnificent for them...freezing for me!

linda - you're right. joy can't be planned. and the minute i remember that most of life can't be planned I'll be experiencing more joy again.

michael - we didn't. next time you come to tompkins square park in the artic cold - email me and we'll play tag.

urban vegan said...

Great observations. Funny how, when you're a kid, you don;t mind the cold--you can stay outside and play in the snow for hours--bolstered by joy. We adults need to relearn this!

east village idiot said...

u.v. - I couldn't agree with you more. It's hard not to take life as seriously as we do. And in doing so we waste so much friggin time and energy.

JT said...

You were a hearty mama! Did you at least carry a cup of steaming hot chocolate? We've only been to the park once this year! We're wimpy.

Kranki said...

I love the way kids just lose themselves in the play. Totally mind over matter. Cool.