7/9/18 Tales from the Backyard… Tucked away in the
northeast corner of Massachusetts, not far from our home in Newburyport, is a strip of land known as Plum Island Beach. In the summer its always packed,
has limited high priced parking and the Green-head flies are atrocious. Fall is the time to go,
free parking and the beach is literally deserted, lest a few lovers walking
hand in hand and the die-hard fishermen, hoping a school of Striped Bass will
swim near. It’s a beautiful fall day, sunny, a
bit crisp, a great day for a walk. We bundled
ourselves for the cool wind and headed out.
We walked along the shore hand- in- hand- in- hand until she (our soon to be 2 yo) tires
and says "carry me", so you pick her up and put her on your shoulders.
Soon she begins to fidget so you lower
her, and then, toss her in the air, being careful to keep hold of her. She screams
with delight, as have the thousands that have preceded her in this tossing game
every dad plays. You don't let go of her foot, you need to feel you are
in control and need to stay in contact, you are her protector. She laughs
out loud when you catch her and she screams "again". This time
you throw her higher, as high as your arm can reach because you still can't let
go, she laughs even louder. "Again,” she yells as she alights in
your arms, “higher” she yells. So you toss her higher, higher than ever
before and this time feeling confident, you do let go. With her arms
spread wide like an Eagle, up, up, up she soars, but this time never comes
down. Then, faintly in the distance you hear her voice, "Dad,
wake up Dad, you’re having another dream, It’s time to get ready".
She has grown, in fact, today is her wedding day,
and It’s in our Backyard…
7/9/18 Tales from the Backyard… Tucked away in the
northeast corner of Massachusetts, not far from our home in Newburyport, is a strip of land known as Plum Island Beach. In the summer its always packed, has limited high priced parking and the Green-head flies are atrocious. Fall is the time to go,
free parking and the beach is literally deserted, lest a few lovers walking
hand in hand and the die-hard fishermen, hoping a school of Striped Bass will
swim near. It’s a beautiful fall day, sunny, a bit crisp, a great day for a walk. We bundled
ourselves for the cool wind and headed out.
We walked along the shore hand- in- hand- in- hand until she (our soon to be 2 yo) tires
and says "carry me", so you pick her up and put her on your shoulders.
Soon she begins to fidget so you lower
her, and then, toss her in the air, being careful to keep hold of her. She screams
with delight, as have the thousands that have preceded her in this tossing game
every dad plays. You don't let go of her foot, you need to feel you are
in control and need to stay in contact, you are her protector. She laughs
out loud when you catch her and she screams "again". This time
you throw her higher, as high as your arm can reach because you still can't let
go, she laughs even louder. "Again,” she yells as she alights in
your arms, “higher” she yells. So you toss her higher, higher than ever
before and this time feeling confident, you do let go. With her arms
spread wide like an Eagle, up, up, up she soars, but this time never comes
down. Then, faintly in the distance you hear her voice, "Dad,
wake up Dad, you’re having another dream, It’s time to get ready". She has grown, in fact, today is her wedding day, and It’s in our Backyard…