I lived in Richland Center, Wisconsin from the middle of kindergarten through second grade. It was a great place for a kid. There were places to run in the woods on the hill behind the town. Almost all my friends were within walking distance. The parks were all on Church Street and the churches were on Park Street. My grandparents had a big Victorian house where my parents and I lived with them. The best part of that house was the porch on the front with a swing on it. I spent a lot of time in that swing especially when storms would blow in. During storms my grandmother was quite sure I would be struck by lightning and would frequently implore me to come in. After enough warnings someone would drag me in. I loved being so close to the rain that the wind felt wet. Now that I think about it, it’s nearly the same sensation I get when sailing.

This weekend I realized that the same swing is hanging from the laundry line thing in Grandpa’s back yard. It’s not nearly as sturdy as I remember it but it still does the job. It felt really good to swing with both my grandpa and my kids this weekend.

I wished it was on the old porch, I wished it was raining & I wish my grandmother was there to shoo me inside.

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