Play Time to Heal a Broad

Flying on a netted saucer?

The week demanded frivolity. Then I remembered last month’s promise.

Six weeks ago, our neighborhood park overflowed with youngsters on Independence Day. No room for free spirits eager to swing, crawl, spin, and leap. (Who cares if she’s 62 going on 8?)

I pledged in my July 7th blog post to return to Commonwealth Park. With youngsters back in school, the neighborhood park returned to me. 

Hmm, helping hands to lift an old broad?

Yikes, this tube was a hard squeeze. And low to the ground.

Creaking bones sent reminders as voice echoed, “you’re living a sixth decade, sweet girl.”

Somehow, I slithered out. With help.

Onward, I continued. The seesaw delighted, especially with its complete recycled construction.

Yabbadabbado!

Old log. Old tire. Old seat.

The latter crept up high. In, shall we say, very uncomfortable places. 

Perhaps I can find the builder and suggest a rubber pad for old buns?

The seesaw was the only playground equipment familiar from my childhood. Cough, cough.

You may remember last month’s primo playground piece: this green sponge‑y thing. From a distance, it looks like a larger version of those PacMan creatures that zip out of reach, beyond your joystick’s fastest response. Note: no blame to user’s slowpoke moves.

What IS this thing?

This pole topper was as frustrating as that ancient video game, if only because I have yet to figure out its purpose.

Too high to hold, too big to clasp, even adult hands are forced to hold low.

As for the black stick, you swing around on it. Whoopee. No wonder it was barren on the 4th.

A tight squeeze (in two ways!)

After the pole dance, I climbed Mount Everest like a geriatric monkey.

Scaling ever higher, my limbs became entangled so deep in the ropes, the photographer forced a back-side emergency rescue.

From all this play emerged several major life learnings:

  1. Body play animates in ways both mind and soul crave.
  2. Joints can bend only so far. In either direction.
  3. Forcing new moves on an old(er) body is not animating.
  4. New meds work; no hyper heartbeat from exuberant playtime.
  5. (Actually #1 discovery): Play like this more often.
Whee!!!

Nothing heals like soaring, flying, and laughing.

Giving thanks for the ability to do all three, especially only one week out of an unexpected hospital stay.

For those reasons, I’ll soon return for more playtime.

Meet me there?