Raining memories

Last Friday, I met my kindergartner at his school to walk with him in the annual CROP walk.  I found him standing with his 8th grade prayer buddy, waiting to kick off the walk.  Once we started walking, I could tell why the school starts these 2 groups early.  Between the little legs of the kindergartners and the "let's maximize the time spent outside the classroom" attitude of the 8th graders, it was a snail's pace.  In fact, we were lapped by the grades in between several times despite our head start.

We talked and walked and walked and talked and talked and walked some more.  My 5-yo alternated between holding my hand and running off to yell "hey" to a buddy, which very succinctly sums up his dependence/independence level right now. 

We rounded the corner of our third and final lap and a big gust of wind blew through the parking lot.  The colorful trees ahead of us started shedding leaves at a fast rate.  I heard screams and shrieks from 5-yos, 13-yos and every age in between.  I wondered what they could be yelling about while I watched the sky rain leaves.  Then, my eyes dropped from the sky back to the parking lot which was now littered with kids, running around, shrieking and trying to catch the falling leaves.  Their smiles and shrieks and the smell of fall all instantly brought back memories of my childhood, where leaves could provide hours of entertainment and technology consisted of the new cordless phone in our kitchen.  It brought a smile to my face as my 5-yo ran back to grab my hand and show me the leaves that he had caught. 

As we started walking again, I heard an 8th grade girl telling our 8th grade buddy the super secret name of who "really liked him".  Between the leaves and the middle school romance that was starting to unfold right beside me, I could have closed my eyes and been 12 again. 

It was reassuring to know that despite the technology and round the clock negative news that exists today, my kids will have some of the same memories that I have.  Combine that with some time with my 5-yo gave this girl a happy start to the weekend.