I've been busy and distracted this weekend. Friday delivered some news that will change our lives dramatically. Saturday and Sunday have seen us start to prepare for that change.
After all the distractions and busyness we walked to Hidden World park this afternoon, an hour before dusk, for a swing, a slide, a climb and a chance to get the sand between the toes. You tackle equipment you haven't dared approach before; climbing up the rubber webbing and clambering down the knobbly pole.
I watch, take photos to capture the afternoon, knowing it might be one of our last regular visits to this space. I feel melancholy. This is the park where you crawled, toddled, walked and ran. Where you now get on the big swing and use your legs to propel yourself into the air.
This is the space where you still stand back and observe the other kids jostling and negotiating, waiting for a clear moment to climb up the dinosaur. You wait on the edge, high above the sand, asking for help. I have previously stood below in the sand and caught you as your launched yourself into the air. This time I'm perched up on the fort, camera poised, and encourage you to take the leap and jump down solo. I watch you hesitate and count you down, "One, two....three, go!" You jump and land in the sand, face peering up with delight, "I did it, yay". I take your photo as you climb one more rung on the ladder of self confidence.
The melancholy washes over me. We are going to miss this park. But the trade off will be worth it.
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