Whenever the weather permits, I go outside and the first thing I go to is the swing set. This is what I have often done as a kid during my short childhood and during the times of struggles.
I was introduced to the swing set as a young age for the Christmas holiday by my mother after my Granddaddy had built my first swing set.
Ever since I was introduced to the play structure, I have begun to develop my habit of going to the swing and begin swinging for the long periods of time. I’ve had very little sense of time only to know that there is day and there is night.
So during the day as long as the weather is permitted, I would walk out of the door and run to the swing set just to swing for how long. Many minutes? Hours? I have no idea. This is the beginning of how I was easily tanned.
I would just swing to enjoy the space and the air blowing around me and to look at the scenes of nature.
At one time; we were living near the highway flowing with traffic and I do remember hearing many air planes flying overhead. Despite those distracting sounds, I continued to swing.
When we moved further north in Tampa, Florida; the swing set goes with us. I have worn out one swing and was about to wear out another. So we have lived there ever since.
I have already worn out two swings and was then moved to another part of the swing set to wear out the see-saw style swing and I wore that one out till I moved to the swing chair set. That was the last thing I have worn out. Anyway; after I have worn out that swing set that only the metal slide is still intact, I was left to wander around in the yard alone since I’ve always lived as a loner.
Then, after Aunt Jackie and my cousin, Melissa, has moved in with us from Orlando, Florida, and another trailer was moved in (which was the first 60 foot-long one). Granddaddy has built the second swing set. It was originally for both me and Melissa, but I pretty much used it quite often I’ve rather spend outside swinging while Melissa was usually inside.
So over time, I have even worn out that swing set. It has been rebuilt and a new swing added till I wore that one out finally in 1982(?).
Well, I still use swing sets in the various playgrounds and play-parks ever since I have moved from Tampa, Florida soon after I’ve graduated from high school. I have even used the swing couches or benches for hours just to think and imagine as I feel the fresh air. I still use the swing benches here and there whenever it’s available. We have one here that is rather being weather-worn.
So now I have not swung in a few years since 2008(?). I wish I can swing again just to feel the air and the space while I escape into the alien worlds of space exploration, brainstorming on story ideas, and just to think about my favorite characters that I love. These are some of the reasons why I have swung for many hours on end on the swing set. I do miss it, but I have found different avenues of escape so that I can think, imagine, and to just be away from the people for a while.
So this is one of the glimpse of the childhood that I want to share in order to show you that innocence can be lost any moment without one realizing it as long as we live in the dangerous world. This is why I am reminiscing about the swing set.
Anyway; I believe that this is about it for now till another blog is written. I hope you enjoy this heart-warming reminisce about the swing. š
My first swing set. with my mother.