"The World is a Playground, and Life is Pushing My Swing"

While sitting on the park bench today, watching my kids frolic (yes, I used that word!) on the playground I witnessed a moment that touched my heart. An elderly woman, probably in her late 70's - early 80's, with a slim build, came out of no where, almost skipping to the playground. She dropped her purse, threw her coat to the side of the swings and seemed to jump onto a swing. As carefree as ever, she pumped her legs back and forth until she was swinging as high up in the air as my children did just minutes earlier. The wind blew in her gray hair and her face emulated such joy. I felt bad for staring, but I just couldn't keep my eyes off of her. No one at the park seemed to notice her as it was business as usual all around. Parents trying to get their kids to go home with no avail, kids working together attempting to build the highest sand castle and the exciting squeals of kids throwing their little bodies down the fast slides. I caught my daughter's eyes as she stood on the playground structure that hung over the swings and I motioned for her to look at the woman on the swing. And in that moment I knew I was witnessing a blessing as I not only got the opportunity to see the woman experiencing sheer joy, but I also got to see my daughter catching the gaze of the woman and giving her an understanding smile.

~Title quote by Natalie Kocsis~