Let's Go Fly a Kite

Having spent most of the long winter watching Mary Poppins over and over again, I have been longing for springtime and the opportunity to go fly a kite. In the movie, it is the prize at the end of a struggle and a new beginning. I bought the girls kites for the birthday and hoped to fly them at their party last weekend. However, Mother Nature had other ideas and let loose with a snow storm that pushed us into history with record-breaking aplumb.

So today, we all went to Wildwood Park in Euclid with hopes that the breezes off the Lake will carry our kite to the highest heights. Boy, did it ever! It was at least 20 degrees colder and the wind was gusting. Unfortunately it was too cold for some of us, so my parents and the babies stayed in the car while Shawn and I flew the kite.

It is a beautiful kite. I only paid six bucks for it. It is kite shaped but it has a colorful fish emblazoned on it and the fins extend past the limits of the diamond shape. The tail is about twelve feet long and it has several smaller fish attached to it. Man, this kite soared. All you had to do was let go of it and man the string. What a beautiful sight to see set against the backdrop of the lake and the skyline of Cleveland. I was amazed, moved, and delighted all at the same time.

It is a wonderful feeling. All you have to do is watch it soar and react to the changes in the wind. It is still necessary to concentrate, but no so much you can't enjoy it. I was also able to allow my mind to wander and take in the beauty and love around me. Shawn never looked more lovable than when he was flying the kite. Who knew it was also so romantic?

Eventually, Riley did get to fly it. We were all delighted and made plans to do this often during the summer. How have we lived here for two years and never gone to the lakeshore? It is about 20 minutes from our house and now we know how to get there. I will remember the moments flying the kite forever. It will be filed away with other "happy places" to recall in times of pain and suffering right next to my memories of the valley.