Generational Change and a 1953 Tricycle

You might know that I am not particularly emotional when it comes to family issues. It might be because I really only have one daughter and one sister left and everyone else who is important in my family has passed on. Perhaps, though, this is an issue of time -- looking back instead of looking ahead.

This seems particularly true with regards to Sarah Jane's pregnancy. Part of it is getting to read her way fun blog at http://sarahjustinandbabygreen.blogspot.com/ . She has a surrogate name for the upcoming human (Bubba) which is interesting because at the same stage she was referred to as "Infant" or the "Fant." I am having a lot of fun reading her blog and getting excited about the FUTURE of our family and what that will mean during and beyond my lifetime.

I was especially touched by the tricycle story. Some eight years ago my father was cleaning out his garage and found my original tricycle from my toddler days. He did not want it but did not want to throw it away, so he shipped it to my office. I remember unboxing it and wondering at the thing. Yes, 1953 tricycle. And, it is in pretty good shape. There is a little rust on the handlebars, but the pedals and the tires are in good shape. The thing stayed in my office for the next eight years over in a corner.

Now, it has been called to duty once again. Sarah Jane has asked that I ship the tricycle to her because "Bubba" will need one and she doesn't like the plastic new ones. She called and asked for me to immediately send her a photo so she could put it on her blog.
http://sarahjustinandbabygreen.blogspot.com/2007/10/moving-right-along.html

In other news- we were at Toys R Us the other day and noticed how plastic and gaudy classic kid toys have become- particularly tricycle's have all of this extra jumk on them. Luckily, my dad still has his classic tricycle from circa 1953 that he's going to ship to the Bubba. We think that's a super cool family heirloom type toy to pass along.

I have to start thinking of how to pack it up and ship it. I will do so with a warm feeling inside.