Monday, May 13, 2024

A Park With History And Memories

When I was in my hometown recently with my family, Nel wanted to stop at the park so Mia could stretch her legs, run around, and play!  We happened to visit a park that is not far from the home that I grew up at.  It's a large park with a baseball field, and a lot of shaded picnic areas.  This park has been around since 1917, and although they have updated it through the years installing a new playground, it still has the same vibe it did way back then.

There is an old contraption sitting on the grounds at the entrance of the park.



It was a sunny day, and when we first got there, we noticed a butterfly fluttering about, which stayed in our midst for a few moments.  Nel put her hand out, and that butterfly landed right on her hand, long enough for me to get a picture.  What a delightful moment that was for her.



Now, I have to tell you, what was so special about spending time here with my granddaughter was that I used to play at this very same playground when I was her age!  My dad used to have company picnics here, and our family would gather together and have barbecues and play games, and I would run around carefree until it was time to go home.  To see Mia enjoy herself at this playground was very sentimental to me and brought back the best memories.



I glanced over at Nel, and I remember her looking so peaceful watching her five year old enjoy her time there.



There was a very high slide, and Renecke wanted to make sure that no big boys were going to push Mia off in any way, so he had a watchful eye.



We sat at the playground and talked, and Nel wanted to know what happened to the small zoo that was there, so she took a walk to see.  They closed it down years ago, but she still has memories of her and her sister and brother walking through that area and seeing all the interesting zoo animals.  There was even a couple black bears there at one time, until they were moved to a new and larger habitat at a zoo sanctuary a half hour away.



And then there was the high slide, and Nel went inside the little house at the top of the slide with Mia.



When we were leaving, I saw the most charming home.  There are many houses across the street from the park that are old and very kept up.



And one of the prettiest red rose bushes I've seen.



Nel received two blessings on this trip to her hometown; one was the butterfly that landed on her hand, and the other was a double rainbow on the first day she arrived.



~Sheri 

24 comments:

LoveT. said...

This is a beautiful post Sheri. Very touching.
The photo with Nel and Mia have a beautiful charisma.
I love the butterfly on the hand, a magical moment <3

Katerinas Blog said...

I liked that there is such an old park in your place. How calm the butterfly, to rest on Nell's hand, impressive!
It looks like you had a great time in your hometown, I hope you have many such good times.
Have a beautiful week!

Ginny Hartzler said...

that house and it's flowers are so charming!!! It reminds me of an English cottage. And the butterfly on Mia's have really ought to be framed and displayed. The park seems to have worked it's generational magic!

Debby said...

That's my kind of house/cottage. The roses really enhance the front of the well-kept house. That is so cool about the butterfly that landed on Nel's hand. My father-in-law used to have hummingbirds feed from a special ring-feeder of food on his hand. I have one, but so far, I haven't got "the touch."
It would be touching for me, as well, to watch my grandchildren play in a playground I used to go to (if I had grandchildren). I'm quite sentimental when it comes to stuff like that.
Lastly, a double rainbow—wow. I think God was telling you all something with so many natural blessings in one day.
Have a blessed week.
PS It's been very warm here. Today is 90.

Debby said...

I forgot to add that the contraption is a WW1 large-capacity machine gun. Kinda odd to have in a park these days.

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Sheri,
What a lovely rerun of your own childhood!
Happy to read all this.
Hugs,
Mariette

Marilyn Miller said...

What wonderful memories!
That last picture reminds me so much of places in California.
The last time I visited my hometown I planned a picnic with my sister and her family in the park where we once played. Such special memories.

Chatty Crone said...

I think that it was so cool you got to bring everyone to where you grew up - then you took your children - then your grandchildren - 3 generations at this park and they cared that you had been there when you were little!!!!
What was that black thing - telescope or cannon? lol
That butterfly landing on Nel's hand was awesome.
Of course, daddy is going to watch his little Mia from getting hurt.
I can remember when parks had animals like that and now, they have moved all the animals of course.
That rose bush was GORGEOUS!
I loved that house - it is well kept and beautiful - would love to live there.
And of course, the double rainbow - awesome.

CiNdEe's GaRdEn said...

Sheri,
Great memories to let your granddaughter enjoy your park! When I was a kid we had a park here that had a very small amusement park. A merry go around, a train ride and a few other little kiddie rides. Plus fun foods you get at the fair. My Grandma took us there. It was so fun. I wish it was still there. The park, is but the rides are gone.

Patricia said...

Hi Sheri, that is a beautiful photo of your girl Nel. How lovely for her to visit a park she knew as a child and bring her own little girl there. The house nearby is the sweetest little place - I'd love to own it!! Happy days with a butterfly :)

Donna said...

So many memories from childhood...I love this.
Both are God's blessings, rainbow and butterfly.
hugs
Donna

Rose said...

What a great day that must have been! And such precious memories. Memories from the past and making more memories for Nel and Mia.

NanaDiana said...

Wow! What a wonderful trip down memory lane for you, Sheri. Your daughter is gorgeous and that Mia is one of the cutest little girls I have ever seen. She is adorable...and you can tell just by looking at her that she is a happy little girl.
I'd say it was Nel's lucky day with a rainbow and a butterfly. The leprechauns were working their magic that day.

I love visiting an old place where I made memories that still seems a lot like it was 'back then'. So many times, things have changed so much that they don't even resemble what we remember at all.

Have a wonderful week- Love to you, Diana

Susan said...

Very lovely post, Sheri. That visit to the park was a blessing for all of you. Mia and her Mommy are both so pretty. Imagine that butterfly alighting on her hand! How incredible. That visit brought back so many happy memories. I am so glad you were all able to go. That kind of visit is what makes such precious, life-long memories. Hugs. Susan

Pam said...

I always love jumping over and reading your blog. Same park that you played in....I love that. My son and daughter went to the same elementary school as I did, and then my son and grandson went to the same middle school. What is strange is my daughter having the same teacher I did! lol......Our memories are so great when we can share them with our kids and grands. Looks like a great day

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

How nice to revisit your old playground with your granddaughter and daughter. It's nice to know it hasn't changed as so many things in life do. Lovely seeing Nel with her daughter and that beautiful butterfly! To top it all off a double rainbow. What a special time for you and your family in your hometown.

Jeanie said...

Nel and Mia look so alike -- that apple didn't fall far from the tree! The park looks lovely and what a special moment to see your granddaughter play there. That would touch me, too. And I simply love the butterfly photo!

Carla from The River said...

Hi Friend, I am catching up... I loved this heart to heart post. Passing down memories and stories of our past it so very important.
A great post, thank you!!! And amazing photos too.
Carla

Veronica Lee said...

I love that you're passing down cherished memories from your childhood to Mia.
The park sounds like a beautiful place filled with history and nostalgia.
That moment with the butterfly landing on Nel's hand must have been magical.
And the double rainbow blessing on your first day back in your hometown sounds like a sign of wonderful things to come.

Wishing you many more beautiful memories to treasure with your family, Sheri 🌹

DeniseinVA said...

Your photos are absolutely delightful Sheri. What a lovely trip with your family, to be with them at a place you were close to as a child. A great idea to go to the park with all its history, and how delighted Nel must have when the butterfly landed on her hand. Magical! It is a great pleasure to see you all enjoying yourselves. Well done Renecke for being Mia’s protector. And oh my gosh, that beautiful home! What a fairy tale cottage, complete with all the roses! And the rainbow! Many blessings on this trip I can see. Thank you for sharing this, I always leave smiling.

Lisa said...

Looks like a beautiful place. I love the house. Looks like a little cottage.
I remember my home town has a small zoo. This is usually where we would go each year on one of our school field trips. It was a small zoo with a few exotic birds, a bear and a monkey. Sad to see them close.

Lisa

Jim and Barb's Adventures said...

You post brought back memories of the park and zoo that I used to visit as a kid. It has been I bet 50 years since I have been to either. I wonder if they are still there and if they are, how different are they?

Nadia Adams said...

I recently came across your blog post titled "A Park with History and Memories," and I must say, it was a delightful read! Your vivid descriptions and personal anecdotes brought the park to life, making me feel as though I was walking through its paths and experiencing its beauty firsthand.
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Barbara Nimmo said...

Thank you for sharing your experiences and insights. Your blog is a treasure trove of inspiration and a reminder to cherish the simple, yet profound moments in life. I look forward to reading more of your posts and embarking on new virtual journeys through your words.
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