It's a Shame

The city is in the process of building a large recreational park next to Megan's school.  Currently, it is still dirt, with a wide sidewalk going through the middle of it.  There are mounds of dirt, perfect little mountains for a boy to climb and walk over.  There's a strip of gravel rocks to walk across.  There's even a stack of chain-linked fences.  They are laying down.  It's just the right distance for a little boy to throw rocks over and try to clear the fences.  There's also a little mound of sand.  It's great to walk through and sink a little with each step.  This is a little boys paradise.

Every afternoon we walk to pick Megan up, Josh has to go through each of these obstacles.  It's usually to the sound of "Josh c'mon.  The bells going to ring.  Megan's going to be waiting for us.  Three throws and then you need to come."

Yesterday I said to Scott that back in the day, I could have left him in that field of dreams to play while I grabbed Megan.  We could then pick him up on our way back.  It's such a shame those days are gone.  No longer do we feel safe letting our kids explore on their own.  As a child, we'd leave the house in the morning and return only when we were hungry or my  mom tracked us down.  The neighborhood was the village that helped raise us.  What happened?  Now if my kids want to play out front, they have to wait for me to come out with them.  Oh, the stories I'll tell my kids when they're older...

"When I was your age..."