What I recall most about World War II was, with millions of people in the military, families became separated and after the war the trend increased with parents and grandparents no longer providing guidance to the younger generation. With women joining the work-force children too frequently were without motherly oversight.
Many social problems have resulted from the loss of such an important maturing process.
With chilly weather hanging on I was pleased to see the sun. To recover from a stroke I began to get back in shape by roaming the trails in Gwinnett County parks.
I visited Mountain Park. The place was a bee-hive of activity; tennis courts full, one with a father teaching his kids to serve, baseball diamonds filled, children’s play areas active, the batting cage in use, smoke billowing from a grill.
I heard laughter, shrieks of delight, yells of praise, coming from the baseball diamonds. Summer was here, parents spending character-building time with their kids. I saw families together.
I watched one Pee Wee swing eight times before making contact with the ball on the T. When he finally hit the ball maybe three feet the applause was deafening like he had just hit a home run in the World Series. Pumping his fist with joy he headed to third base but was redirected to first. Even after he was tagged he kept running to his mom in the bleachers. “Mommy, did you see me hit it?”
I watched children in the play area, parents attentive with some grandparents smiling proudly.
Wistfully, I envisioned these kids as my kids, years ago. “Daddy, watch me!”
The scene brought back recollections of when my children were kids and life was always family oriented. “Daddy…Look at me, daddy!”
I wanted to go back and revisit times when I built home-made stilts, kites from newspapers and sling-shots for my kids. I got a rush of nostalgia remembering when life was less regulated and family togetherness was natural.
A Red-tailed hawk patrolled above the trees. Several doves sitting on a wire watched the activity. Military jets lattice-worked contrails high above. My eyes swept 360 degrees. I watched parents developing family bonds, the devotion inspiring.
I was seeing family enrichment. Family ties were taking precedent over peer pressure; pats on the back, smiles, encouragement, precisely what youngsters need during their difficult journey ahead.
Joggers were many ages. A friend waved. I was happy to be there. I decided to come more often, the day evoking a positive mood. I had been reminded that family is the foundation on which we must depend to counteract burgeoning social instability.
Bill York has lived in Stone Mountain for 35 years. Email him at sioux2222@gmail.com
