In appreciation

Dear swingset playhouse thingy, what a life you have had.

A week after you were built a derecho picked you up and threw you sideways on the ground. We set you back up and three days later, another windstorm picked you up and threw you the other way on the ground.

We set you up again, anchored you down, and ever since then, anywhere from ninety to one hundred fifty pounds of boy has knocked you about and loosened your screws and split your wood.

We're a lot alike, you and me.

And like me, I know you wouldn't change a moment with them.

Your time is very short, as by the end of this past weekend's romp, you nearly collapsed. Just wanted to offer thanks for giving yourself to them.

They learned to swing on you. They hid in your house-part and climbed on your picnic table. They pounded your sliding board with their shoes and stashed Easter eggs in the tall grass around you. You helped them fly. And, er, faceplant.

Playset life well lived indeed.

He runs hard and jumps defiantly and swings dangerously and falls on purpose because scaring me to death is apparently his reason for living.

He's swinging in my sweatshirt, and it just about fits. All the feelings, y'all. I can't even.

Crazy joy.

Thank you, swingset.