I came downstairs this morning

I came downstairs this morning after the normal routine and found the
girls all curled up watching The Sandlot. There are a few words that I don't
necessarily like my girls hearing, but it's all French to them anyway. I love it
because it makes me miss being a kid in a time when we went barefoot; sunscreen
was a hat and chainlink was the only thing between us and the world. We played
across the neighborhood from sunrise to sunset. At dusk parents would step out
onto porches to call us in: a yell; a special whistle; a cow bell. We would then
begin our sprint home hurdling the fences, avoiding dogs on chains, and hit the
front stoop in time for dinner. After a bath that left the water gray, we hit
the sack while it was still light out, making plans for the next day's
adventures. It was a different time. We knew nothing of 17% interest on home
loans, the Middle East Peace Crisis, or Billy Carter's embarrassing antics. We
played outside everyday and we grew stronger because of it. I think after the
movie is over and we've tackled history, we'll be getting out our ball and
gloves, bike up to the school playground, and hopefully make a memory of the
days of "freedom from."