Fly Your Kite Right Out The Window

The joys of kite flying are immeasurable! I was reminded of the timelessness of such pursuits recently when our granddaughter rushed outside to launch her first kite of the season. Racing barefoot through the pasture grass, arms held aloft, waiting for the wind to catch the plastic kite just so, she persisted with unfettered expectation that her kite would indeed lift up and suspend in the air for however long. A successful launch ended in a nanosecond, capricious winds swirling and turning, crashing the kite to earth. Over and over again she ran, determined to fly that kite high, to feel the tug of wind through the string, the slender thread that kept it hers, lest it fly away. Her running paused only for the catching of her breath; then on she ran, kite chasing up and down and all around ‘til finally it flew again.

“Hurrah!” we shouted, elated to share in the success, remembering days when our suntanned toes dug into sand and surf, or hilly field, anchoring us firm against the wind that carried our kites aloft. Whether the kite was homemade or store bought, the tail had to be just so for the kite to fly right. The string secure, and long enough, was wound around a toilet paper tube, stick, or special reel that let it unwind as the tethered sail grabbed hold of the gusts and soared. What fun those days were when many kites danced in the sky, colorful ornaments of fluttering butterflies, boxes, dragons and unicorns stretching towards the clouds. Fabulous flying things that took our dreams and imaginations with them high beyond our earthbound plight.

Where are our kites of years ago? Those dreams, imaginations we once held dear? Grown up now let’s dig them out, unwind the string, and let them climb! Even from our rocking chairs, recliners, or cloistered studios, let’s open wide our windows and let them free! Revisit that wonderland, dare to soar again! And perhaps, join our grands and chase the wind with them.