There are some things that each of us, probably the world over, has done as a child. Children will smile, children will lose their first tooth, and children will feel the delights of reaching the sky with their toes, on a swing {see how to make your own blossom swing, below}.
We capture those smiles with photographs, we anticipate the tooth fairy's first visit with our child, and we push a child's swing until they learn to reach the sky on their own. Each of these, like so many other simple moments, are treasures of childhood. They define childhood and what it means to be a child—
They are some of childhood's simple joys—
barefeet • grass stains • mud pies • laughter • sun-kissed cheeks • sunbeam smiles
imaginations • and lemonade.
We pass on these simple joys, we once held as a child ourselves, to our own children. So, when we added a handmade wood swing to our natural playground in our maple grove, I was thinking of these moments we pass down. I was thinking of swinging, and of this beautiful wood swing itself. I was passing down the simple joy of swinging. And, this sturdy, handcrafted swing would be passed down to their children—along with all of the laughter, all of the songs, all of the memories of swinging upon its sweet smelling cedar seat. So, our handmade swing was custom engraved with what I thought we would remember when we cherished the heights it could lift us to. That swinging, this swing, was a—
s i m p l e j o y .
make your own blossom swing to cherish
you need: a wood swing, pastel paper (we used pink, yellow, and white) narrow ribbon (we used pale green) scissors, and a needle
to make: Cut out flower shapes. Thread a large needle with ribbon. Poke the needle and ribbon through the center of each blossom to string the blossoms on the ribbon. Drape on your swing; then, enjoy the breeze blowing your pretty blossoms.
more handmade swings to love from Rosedale Swing Company above from left round cedar swing • classic wood swing for children to adults • child-size wood swing • double swing for two.
What is a simple joy you cherish above all else?
©heather cahoon • wordplayhouse®
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