new perspective

Since moving to Foster in 1971, I have probably walked Hemlock and Ponnagansett Roads a few thousand times but this past week was different. This past week I walked with my sixteen month old grandson Jonah. Through his eyes I saw a newer version of the road, one filled with wonder and awe. Jonah loved the sound of the geese, he thrilled to the sound of the waterfall, and he giggled whenever I tossed stones into the still water. He repeated his request for "Water?" every few seconds until we finally reached the Barden Reservoir and the bridge over the Hemlock Brook where he stared and smiled at the water he so loves. Foster is so different from Jonah's home of Los Angeles. He has parks but mostly streets and cars and people are what he sees from his stroller. Last week he was walked in another world, one of green trees, dirt roads, and big rocks. He saw a timid deer in the road, a fuzzy caterpillar on the bridge, and honking geese floating by. Never have I been so grateful for living in Foster than last week when I went "walking with my baby!"