Crumbs From the Corner: Adventures in Woolgathering

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Out The Window



"One of the virtues of being very young is that you don't let the facts get in the way of your imagination."
-Sam Levenson

In our younger days my brother and I treated the back of Mater's car as a slide in a playground. On sunny days we would climb atop the car from the front, crawl across the roof and skim down the sloped posterior to start the fun all over again. Strictly speaking, it was forbidden- but Mater's eye was typically elsewhere and we never came to any harm.
One day long after my sibling left that childhood activity behind, I decided to venture onto the makeshift slide for a few entertaining solitary rounds.
As I propelled myself off the roof and began my happy descent, I became aware of a commotion behind me. There was a hollow thump as though an elephant had broken loose from a nearby field and had stamped his mighty foot in a fury; then, as though the same fellow had ruptured one thousand balloons out of spite, there volleyed forth a cluster of tiny, pinpoint bursts of noise alternated with claps of thunder.
My own feet hit the ground and I turned, curious, only to find myself wondering where the car's back window had disappeared to. It was not in its usual place tucked inside the window frame- and I ought to know as I had moments earlier skidded over its slick surface.
All about my feet were tragic remnants. The ground was coated with diamond slivers once part of that most essential of vehicle components: one that I had to replace with my own pocket money, and one that I never again considered a toy.

2 comments:

Pappy said...

Just catching up on a few comments. I saw Mater's picture on Beth's post this morning. I wish she had been awake when it was taken. Those "Irish eyes" were hidden from view. I know how it is entertaining guests. I sometimes fall asleep too. What a wonderful idea to have a child actually pay for something they broke. Probably wouldn't be accepted as a proper punishment today. We wouldn't want to destroy self-esteem and all that. Pappy

Phyllis Hunt McGowan said...

I just went over to Beth's page right after reading your news about Mater's picture- looks like a good time was had by all.

About breaking the window- there was no question of my not paying for it. My esteem never was a factor ;)
You're so right- there's a lesson to be had in that.
It wasn't exactly an accident, since I was playing on the car, so I felt responsible. I hid in the bathroom for an hour, I believe, I felt so awful about it.

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