Go Fly A Kite!

Last night I was working in a word puzzle book when the subject was Kites. Wow, did that ever bring back some fun memories. February every year was a time to get out the paper, string and bolsa wood and put together a kite for flying in the March winds that were just around the corner. Why there was no self respecting store that would not have a box of kites setting pretty close to the checkout counter to tease every kid into pestering parents for one. At our house we never would have done that. After all, the fun of "building your own" was far more interesting than buying one, that was for sure.
I was just a girl, so never got to work much on those projects, but had my nose in the middle of what the "boys" were doing. Ralph would always let me hold his once he got it in the air. Mom was always pestered for something to make the tail out of. I believe they did let me tie the pieces of material together for the tail. Once they even made a three tiered box kite. It was pretty awkward, but they did fly it.
After thinking about it, I was a bit sad to realize kids miss out on such things in this day of advanced technology. Compters and TV seem to fill more time for the young ones these days. When we were young, we never missed a chance to be outside doing something fun. In the spring of course it was Kite Flying. The neighborhood was always full of kids who found plenty to entertain themselves when their homework was done, or a summer day beckoned with beautiful weather.
An imagination was always full of ideas for spending time. As they say, never a dull moment and never a word about being bored. I don't believe we even knew that word. I guess the depression was good for allowing the kids to explore their imagination and make their own fun. I am so glad I lived those days. Such great memories and such great admiration for parents who were so willing to allow their children to express their abilities and talents in such humble ways. We never had much, but were continually aided in working with our talents in doing what ever we could think up. The boys even were able to get mixed matched parts of bikes and make one that allowed them to get a paper route and deliver papers for extra money. I don't believe such opportunities are available today. Yes, those were the days, and these are the memories they produced.
I remember tissue paper kites and newspaper kites, and yes even bought kites. It was one way of spending allowance money that Dad gave us kids at the end of each pay period. We could save the money until we had enough to buy something we wanted, or we could hit the penny candy store and get rid of it all in one visit. Whatever, those were the good old days. How I wish we could share some of those times with everyone today. You have no idea just how much life gives when you have to depend on your own ability and imagination.

Written this 10th day of April, 2010
by: Eileen C. Rosenberg