There has been a fun debate about parents using leashes on their kids. I don't know about leashes, but if I were my own child, a leash or harness, might be a good idea!!!

I was four years old. My aunt and uncle came from California and stayed at motel near our home. It only seemed natural to me, to take my trike, and check into a room myself. I knew if I got on Washington Blvd, it was straight down the road. I knew how to get there. I remember imagining living in the hotel, and having my parents visit me. At four years, old, what else did I need? I figured if I asked for a room, they'd give me one. Had trike, could travel. I loved the thought of being on my own.

My mom's friend, caught me on my way of of Dodge. I told her where I was going, because I told everyone everything. ( My nickname was Motormouth.) My mom's friend invited me in for a bit, while she called my mom. I never did get to stay in that motel. I did get spanked for running away. I thought about going all the time. I even kept my Barbie suitcase packed, just in case the opportunity came to go some where.

It was at this grand age of four, I could feel the world calling to me. I felt the need to experience all there was in the world. One of the things on my mind was flying. I saw birds fly, and I had seen planes fly and I loved Batman, he flew. It only made sense that I could fly.

First I tried the porch of our brick bungalow house. With each jump and flap of my arms, I could not feel the air. I determined I was too close to the ground, I didn't have enough time to fly. So I went in search of a new, higher place, one with a lot more air.

I only had to go as far as the back yard. There it stood. A lovely walk-in entrance to the basement, and with it came a terrific retaining wall, very high, and perfect for my needs. Without hesitation, I climbed on the highest part and jumped. Flapping my arms, imagine my surprise, when there was no up, only down, down, down. Forty years later, and I still remember the slow motion falling.

The only air I could feel, was the dead air, when my head met the metal drain grate. I think I screamed, I don't remember that as much as I remember the spinning. The entire world was going around and around. This was not the flight I had anticipated.

Some one sent someone from our medical insurance to take my picture, and I told the nice man, the entire story. I showed him how low the front porch was, and then how high the wall was in the back yard. He sat my brother and sister next to me, and snapped the picture. I had a pretty cool battle wound.

My mom was exasperated with me. Trying to run away, trying to fly. I was even into pyromania. That's for another story, another day. About this time, I was climbing onto the kitchen cabinet to get into something I should not have. I needed some matches. ( I remember doing this!)

My visiting aunt said, " I think you need to get down from there."

I answered right back, "I think its about time you go home."

She tried to keep a straight face, and I think from then on, I was secretly her favorite niece.

My visiting aunt waited until she was on her way to the airport to tell my parents what I said so I wouldn't get in trouble. Her act of kindness, has endeared her to my heart for eternity.

Yes, Virginia, some children need leashes

© 2009 Miss K - 12/7/09

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