Strong

It's Sunday afternoon
the kids have been down
for a half hour
asleep for 15 min.
I'm on the couch
under a blanket
surrounded by pillows
and a sleeping dog
who got a bath last night
so she actually
smells good
toys are scattered
accross every inch
of the floor
the kitchen is dirty
there is plenty of
laundry waiting in piles
and here I sit
writing about stuff
rather than actually
doing stuff...
I'm on vacation!

Yup, that's right
a week off
winter break
and I couldn't have
kicked it off
any better than
taking the kids
to the Strong Museum
of Play, yesterday

oh yeah
and the whole
sittng on the couch
writing thing
would imply
that I have a laptop
a new laptop
technically it's used
but NEW to me
gotta love it
I realize now
what I have been
missing
so that is kinda
encouraging
exciting at least
to me

but yeah, anyway
Daddy's been working
crazy overtime hours
and Mommy was looking
for something to do
so Grandma suggested
packing the kids up
and hitting the road
for an hour long
road trip to
destination FUN

I have to admit
the drive was pretty
reminisant
good ol Route 31
all the way to
Rha Cha Cha
that's WNY talk
for Rochester
everytime we drive it
my Mom always asks
do you remember
when we used to
live out this way
look see there's
our exit
and I always respond
yes, Mom I do

I was literally
probably my kids age
we only stayed
maybe a year
before moving back
to the very home
we left
our little stay though
left a big impact
on both of us

I don't remember much
but I do remember
our small apartment
it felt small
compared to our
big blue house
and I remember
a family gathering
climbing on top
of my now
dining room table
grasping the spout
putting my mouth on
a fresh pot of hot tea
and well...
you can only imagine
why I remember that

but truly I do
remember the drive
the long and whinding
counrty road
farms and picket fences
around every curve
the waiting
the wondering
if we were home... yet

and then I fast forward
in my mind
memories of me
not just watching
her
but becoming her
the independent woman
who traveled
Route 31
in my 20's
as a Graduate student
seeking the answers
to the troubles
of life

my Master's Degree
Art Therapy
such a blessing
for me
the travel
the people
the confidence
found strength

is it Strong Museum
Rha Cha Cha
or Route 31
all of them
balled in to one
full circle
of fun

we can do this
look and see
just come along
and play
even if just
for the day



yesterday
or rather every day
is certainly
not just about
reliving memories
but making new ones
along the way

oh their sweet
little faces
their spirits
my heart races

I love the discovery
of something new

the mastery
the confidence
of something
familiar

play is
the best way

to say
this is our day

find ways
to enjoy

look! a pirate ship
ahoy

jump in
don't hesitate
if you do
it might be
too late

learn from others
learn with others
always learning
from play
their way

the sights
the sounds
the interaction

the tried

and true

mixed with technology
and it's new

will they
remember this
not so sure
if they do

but I know
experience
effects you

the feeling
that starts
sparks within
discovery
play
every way
each day

Strong Museum

has me feeling

my own strength

of how I came to be

with my family

looking forward

to this time

to play

with them

and me.