Not That I Want "Revenge"

At about 9:17 a.m. on Saturday, we arrived at Story Land in Glen, N.H., after a three-hour drive (including a half-hour side trip to pick up my mother).



Along the way I vacillated between squashing thoughts about the Dream Writing Gig That Was Not to Be, and wondering whether Julie would even publish what I’d submitted Friday morning. But once we got to the park, all the controlled chaos that is an amusement park visit with kids ensued, and I become lost in my family and some mild G forces of various origin.

My socks and sneakers got soaked during my second, fate-tempting turn on Dr. Geyser's Remarkable Raft Ride. I walked around barefoot for a while with my socks sprawled on the stroller, hoping they’d dry (they didn't). I don’t love going barefoot, but the park is so clean that I managed for a while. But when we entered the Pixie Kitchen -- a “mess tent” of sorts in which a continuous stream of young children had eaten for the past five-month season -- I got grossed out. So I cleaned my feet with a wet wipe, put on Ben’s extra pair of socks (!), and all was dry and fresh again.

Things went well. We tackled ride after snack after restroom, from park opening to close. Even Ava got a treat when she rocked out to the vacuum-like sounds and steady vibrations of Professor Bigglesteps Loopy Lab.





Ben did split his lip in the submarine at the Ocean's of Fun Sprayground, John banged his knee when he face planted on the pavement, and Ava cried for 20 extra minutes before we realized she had a dirty diaper. As for their caregivers, my mother strained her neck on the Turtle Twirl, Brian couldn’t feel his thighs on the drive home and my back continued its descent into postpartum-scoliosis. But overall, a success.



This morning, I see that Julie published my post. Our assorted physical ailments have healed. Outside, the sky is light indigo blue, the clouds, puffy and white. The leaves on the trees tremble, belaying a pleasant movement in the air. Brian has taken the boys bike riding, and after Ava nurses we'll walk to the park to join them.

And to facilitate closure on the job that got away, I decided to order myself a new T-shirt.