The rhythmic squeak of a swing has drawn my attention to a boy holding on for dear life, with a smile ear to ear, asking to “Go higher.” The birds in the trees above us making distinct calls and sounds. A dog barking as he jumps on the family boat ready for the day at sea and most importantly, smiles from almost everyone you pass, except for the occasional melt down of someone not wanting to leave yet.
This all happens at the park.
All those sounds heightened my senses, hit the feel good buttons and plopped me in the middle of nature, family and laughter.
Families, just like my little family, spending time together. Some assisting loved ones in wheelchairs just to see the view. A couple that seemed determined to walk the path with their canes because they appeared to have the mentality of “let’s keep moving.” Parents patiently reminding their child to keep pedaling. The “Take One or Leave One” book box for anyone to borrow and enjoy a quiet moment in the shade passing the day away. Or the one that just ran 2 miles and began practicing hand stands during his cool down. Then that random man I’ve seen that comes everyday to make sure the stray cats have been fed and takes a minute to lay down with them. To our new friend Joe, and his sweet dog Haley, who started chatting with my guy one day has now turned into almost an everyday meet up. Or my favorite, the one that took me by surprise the most, the one looking for an outlet. Not to charge her phone, but to plug in her sewing machine because well, why not sew at the park.
It’s all so heartwarming.
I, personally, have witnessed my guy step into a care taking role with his 83 year old mother since his father passed last May. Watching him take her to different parks around our area EVERY SINGLE DAY for over 18 months. The consistency, love, patience, this man has effortlessly shown, has made me fall in love with him over and over and over again. He’s the one that decided we should go to the parks. He’s the one who decided we needed to feed the birds, learn about grackles, sparrows and finches while we all sat in awe the day we caught glimpses of cardinals. He slowed down his own life enough to appreciate our community, put his phone away, be in the moment with her and enjoy the views.
Parks are beautiful touches to our communities that we all need take advantage of.
Most of us don’t have the time to “sit at the park.” Busy schedules and plans for each minute of the day rarely allow for time spent sitting, walking or just being. Or, if we do have a minute, the desire to sit with our feet up on the couch connecting with our friends on line is usually more appealing and I get it! I can see why! I mean come on, we LOVE our PEOPLE and I love seeing what they’re up to.
But, if you haven’t been to a park in a while, I encourage you to go, and if you can go with a small child or an elderly parent do it. Do it simply because they keep us present. It forces our brain to stay in the moment, because they are. Answer every question about a bird and why they do this or that, talk about the clouds every second because they’re changing by the second. Answer the questions the best you can as to why and what someone’s doing or carefully study the birds that come in for food and wonder right there with them, why they left, where they went, and when you think they may come back.
All of that, that all slows the brain down and helps us get out of the daily grind and appreciate where we live and what a gift it is to be alive to enjoy all those sensations. How grateful we are that we live in a safe enough area to run a few miles, sit by ourself or with our families, without being afraid. Or to find “a stranger” to chat a moment with only to find out they grew up in a neighborhood near ours as we savor a day off and most importantly not feel guilty for sitting, doing nothing.
Parks, truly, so many magical things happen when you stop and sit in nature, unplug, using your phone only to capture moments, like the moments below.
#localparks
#nature#restorative#restoreyoursoul
Special Thanks To: Soundside Park Topsail, NC, SmithCreek Park Wilmington, NC & Hugh McCray Park Wilmington, NC.
DevineTime 