Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Kids' Summer in DC


There’s nothing like waking up to a garbage truck, collecting your neighbors’ dinner from last night. Or the sound of two alley cats fighting over the last drink of milk that the little old lady left on her back porch. How about walking onto your front stoop to dream of becoming a construction worker as you stare down the street at the new community sports field that will be opening in just MONTHS! Of course you love playing baseball in the street, but OH NO! Ms. Simmons can’t have another window shattered, so the field might not be such a bad idea.

Even all of the noise we make playing baseball can’t cover up the sweetest summer sound EVER!  Your ears began to pick up a yummy tune, it’s getting closer! You know that sound very well. YES, the ice cream truck! All of a sudden you’re almost trampled by a swarm of friends, rushing to be the first in line. “I’ll take a bomb pop!” says little Johnny, the friend who takes pride in not getting a single ounce of icy goodness on his Redskins Jersey.

With Bomb Pop in hand, you walk a few blocks to Potomac Park. Hains Point is the best part! Too bad The Awakening sculpture isn’t there anymore. It was always a blast climbing all over the buried old man who was trying to escape from the deep sand. “Watch out, Johnny!” we all scream as the city bus makes a complete stop for us to cross at the crosswalk. Yes, that ice cream must be awesome because little Johnny isn’t paying much attention to the street.

The park is filled with children all enjoying the nice summer air, but there are no swings available, so you go climb the monkey bars until it’s your turn. You finally get on the swing and as you’re pumping your legs for momentum, you feel the cool breeze blowing through your hair. Your head tilted back and your eyes are closed; there’s nothing better than flying on a swing! It’s time to head back to your neighborhood, but your friends decide to stop at the convenience store for snacks.  The homeless man stops us.  “Excuse me kids, would you happen to have some change?” Of course mom taught you to help others, so you reach down into your pocket only to find a rubber band and 62 cents, but the homeless man is appreciative. You hand him 52 cents and keep just enough to get a few pieces of penny candy. Mmmm… the taste of banana fruities and the joy of helping someone less fortunate, on top of being with friends is quite alright!

Football season is almost here! Your dad is the coolest; he bought Redskins tickets for you and all of your friends, and you’re just counting down the days until the big game! But until then, mom and dad are taking you on the metro today! “See you later, guys,” you yell to your friends as you’re waving goodbye! With one hand clutched to the end of mom’s t-shirt, and the other holding on tightly to dad’s hand, you cross the busy street in enough time before the crosswalk timer counts down to “0”. Safely across the street, you and your parents continue to walk two more blocks before you arrive at the Smithsonian metro station.

“Wow, look at that huge pencil,” you say with excitement! “Sweetie, that’s the Washington Monument,” your mom replies with laughter. Before going into the station, your mom spots a florist stand. “WAIT, I’d like to stop here first.” Hmmm… what does mom need flowers for? Well down you go into the train station. People to your left, people to your right, people with bicycles, people in wheelchairs, people with children, people everywhere.   …but it is summer in the Nation’s Capital!

Of course your parents know exactly where to go, but you are totally confused. “If only I had a map, and actually knew how to read it,” you mumble to yourself. Well no need because here comes the train. “Welcome aboard the Blue line train to Franconia Springfield,” says the train operator. After passing through stations like Federal Triangle and Metro Center, you finally arrive at the historic Arlington National Cemetery. Mom’s father was a war veteran; he was such a brave man. Mom places the flowers onto his tomb. Ahhhh now the flowers makes sense. You’re very proud to have a grandpa who served your country. At that very moment, you can absolutely picture yourself as a soldier!

Now it’s time to ride the train back home. Before getting back onto the blue line, dad stops to get the family hot dogs from the snack stand. As you’re headed back home, you realize you don’t want to go, but it’s getting late.

It’s 8 pm by the time you step onto your front porch. The streets are quiet, but you can still hear cars passing by on the busy street a block away. You get into bed with your favorite book, and dad reads a few pages. Before you know it, you’re off to dream land. Pretty busy day for a city kid! Well it’s about to start all over again because here comes that garbage truck!
~LC

 

 

 

 

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