Friday, August 8, 2008

Skipping Stones, Not Generations

Yesterday, we headed up to Northern Virginia for an impromptu day visit to Grandma's.

Grandma still lives in the apartment that I grew up in; and while the DC metro area has continued to explode in both population and commerce, there are marvelously soothing aspects to revisiting the old hallowed haunts. Behind G'Ma's building runs a very thin creek -- and I mean very thin -- (is there a term between barely a rivulet and full-fledged creek?) From age 9 on, neighborhood kids and I would hang out and skip stones, look for fish and turtles, and occasionally fall in. Naturally, the teen years brought on "Truth or Dare" and other more "mature" creekside pasttimes. But I digress...

After an impressive afternoon cloudburst that we felt confident was the harbinger of a rainbow, we four headed past the basketball court (now hoopless), past the pool (now diving board-less), and past the rollerskating strips (now skaterless), to the creek.

The maintenance staff was cooking out on the creekside grill I'd never seen put to actual use in my 30+ years of memory. The water-infused creek was actually babbling in brook-like fashion; something I'd never heard in my 30+ years of memory. The sunlight poured through the overgrown but stunningly canopied archway of green foliage now enveloping the wee waterway, never before seen in my 30+ years of memory. We never found the rainbow, but we witnessed the promise. So maybe these were more boulders than skipping stones, but the heart was there...
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10 comments:

EmBee said...

My MIL lives in Falls Church, Northern Virginia is so gorgeous isn't it?
Nice Pics!

Laura said...

I have often been saddened by the thought that kids don't play in creeks anymore. We often did that during "afterschool-be home by dinner" time. You mention the same kind of things we did by our creek called Devil's Den. Tomboy Tests were regular events- someone usually got hurt. But boy, was it fun.

Anonymous said...

That is beautiful! We hvae a small creek behind our house too.

Renata said...

What a lovely way to spend some time with your mum! I love going home (to mum & dads) & remembering what happened where.

Kelly said...

Sometimes it's hard to "go back" and everything is different. It's nice when one of the "differents" has actually gotten better.

L I S A said...

I thought your name sounded familar, when I came across your blog. I have your book! I was also very pleasantly surprised to see Tuesday's button on your side bar. Wow, it's such a small world! (We live in OC, CA too).

lisa

Threeundertwo said...

I grew up near a creek and you just brought back a million memories.

Do I see a wet backside in that picture? Sounds like the excursion was complete!

Maternal Mirth said...

Those are some big rocks!

These are the times our children remember. Sounds like a great day for all.

debi9kids said...

I just love sharing moments from my childhood with the kids. There is nothing more special!

Tonya Staab said...

ha ha, love the boulders instead of skipping stones. Too funny.