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Go Fly A Kite!
By Julia Rosien
I readied the kites as quickly as I could and tried to brush the dour moment away. We stood and lifted our kites. I first helped Nelson get the larger kite in the sky. He launched it while I held the string. Instantly the kite soared over our heads, demanding more lead from me while the string cut into my hand. Nelson galloped towards me, arms and legs flying. He skidded to a stop and jumped for the rope as I backed away. Nelson instantly felt the power of the kite. I warned him not to touch the string, but rather let the handle and his own responses to the wind guide him. I watched his face open in wonderment as he felt the power of the wind in his hand.
I turned to Alexander and helped him launch his kite.
"One, two, three. Up, Alexander!" I chanted as the kite caught the wind and soared. He took the reins with much more seriousness than his brother had. Instantly, Alexander tuned into the rhythm of the wind, and I watched as his body responded to each tiny pull. Like a flower swaying with the breeze, his little body leaned to and fro, completely in tune with nature's call.
Simon and Grace, little but fierce, demanded their turns as well. I ran after kites, launching them and watching little faces erupt into smiles as kite tales whipped in the wind.
We played for more than an hour without any tears, name calling or arguing. Neighbors came out of their house, crossing the street with heads turned upwards. The wind tenderly kissed our cheeks and tempted us with hints of clover further across the field. Our little village in the sky captivated and entranced everyone. A moment of splendor after a long day.