"Mama, swing me the Poppy way!"

Today, Carly, TJ and I had a picnic lunch at the park and played on the swingset. Yes, even me! It's been a LONG time since I played like a kid on the swings! I guess I'm a child at heart...swinging high above the bar trying to kick the leaves on the tree still gives me a thrill!!! :)
It reminded me of yesteryear when I would beg Dad to push me on the swing that he had hung in the giant maple tree in our backyard...splintery blue ropes from the hardware store that ate into the branch high overhead--and my hands, too! (Dad didn't like heights--in later years anyway--and I always wondered how he had managed to climb out on that limb!) with a removable wooden board for a seat. (Way cool, because without the board, one could more easily stand to swing!) I used to try to reach those leaves with my foot, too!
I couldn't wait until 4:12pm (or 4:19pm if he stopped to pick up cheesesteaks for a surprise summertime supper) when Dad would pull in from work and he would push me on the swing with an "underdoggy" or stand in front of the swing, still in his work clothes, just out of my reach to taunt me as I tried to reach him with my barefoot toes. Or he would make me lock my knees with my legs out straight so he could push the bottoms of my feet or hold onto both rope swings as I waited up in the air with anticipation for when he would let go.
Today I had the privilege of showing my children how Poppy used to push me on the swing! Yes, there was a little heart tug for me that Dad can't show them himself, but knowing that I have to now live his legacy and hearing the laughter and squeals of delight brought a smile to my face. And hearing repeated requests from a certain, curly-haired, four-year-old, "Mama, swing me the Poppy way!!!" was more thrilling to my heart than any old swing-ride!