It was beautiful here on Saturday. The temperature lingered in the mid 70’s, so I took advantage of the day and spent it with my godson and little cousins. I loaded up the rugrats in my car and we headed to the park.
We played on the monkey bars, slid on the sliding board, went up and down on the seesaw, got dizzy on the merry-go-round, then we tackled the swings. I hadn’t been on a swing set in ages. In fact, the last time I was in a swing, it was one of those lawn swings where 2-3 people sit and converse.
But I thought, what the heck, I might as well show the kids how I won the title of swinging champion of my 2nd grade class. I must have been suffering from delusions of grandeur, because swinging at age 7 does not compare to swinging when you’re in your 30’s.
I kept thinking about the rush I would feel as a child when I’d swing really high and then jump out of the seat of the swing, as if I were flying. I made the huge mistake of trying it as an adult. And what made it worse was that the kids were egging me on.
They kept chanting, “Higher, swing higher!” So I gave the fans what they wanted. I kept swinging higher and higher until I felt that I was at a good height to jump out of the swing seat. So after like 20 or so swings, I launched my body into the air from the swing….
And I swear to you, my heart stopped while I was in midair. I’d launched myself with so much velocity, that I was not prepared for the landing, and I hit the ground with a ferocious thud.
My little cousins and godson ran to my aide with a look of fright in their eyes. But little Tyson was the only one who brought me back down to earth in another way when he said, “Nikki………..don’t do that no more.” Thus was the end to my life as a swinger.
Tiki : 08 January 2007 at 11:09 am
I feel you girl. I decided to do the same a few years back. I landed in sand tho, so my landing didn’t look really tragic. I’m just glad they couldn’t see when momma ATE sand.
Admit, yanno you had fun.
aquababie : 08 January 2007 at 12:36 pm
i used to love to jump from swings! i wouldn’t dare do it now. i learned my lesson from my rollerskating tailbone injury.
Julia : 08 January 2007 at 2:55 pm
That was a cute story Nikki! I used to love swings too but I’ve gotten motion sickness so bad in my old age….I can’t even enjoy porch swings anymore.
Mwabi : 08 January 2007 at 5:17 pm
cute catchy title Nikki!
Taya : 08 January 2007 at 6:18 pm
*lol* @ “hitting the ground with a ferocious thud”. What a cool godmama/auntie! They’ll remember this!
melette : 08 January 2007 at 10:46 pm
That was funny. Man, I went swinging but I never thought to try to jump out of that mug. You were brave. I’m glad that you didn’t hurt anything. LOL!!!!
Vick Damone, Jr. : 08 January 2007 at 11:10 pm
Yeah, swinging might get you killed - either kind, mind you. I honestly can’t remember the last time I got on a swing, but it actually sounds like fun. I won’t jump, though.
Honest : 09 January 2007 at 8:29 am
Lawd be careful chica. We’re not getting any younger we take a bit longer to heal. Dang it’s been a while since I’ve been on a swing. Hmm maybe I should head to the park soon, but I’ll go on the baby swings.
GeckoGirl : 09 January 2007 at 8:41 am
LOL! I think we’ve all done that at one time or another. My particularly embarassing experience was trying to ride a razor scooter.
Amadeo : 09 January 2007 at 9:51 am
I think I could pull it off….