Thank You

 For The New Playground Equipment At Grammar #2.

This afternoon while I was waiting for my son to get out of school, I watched as a young boy was playing on the new playground equipment at Grammar #2.  The boy, not quite old enough to attend kindergarten, was being watched over by a very kind looking man, that looked and acted like the boy's grandpa.  The young boy was running from piece to piece - climbing, hopping, swinging, jumping and sliding about.  He was obviously thoroughly enjoying the new equipment.

I began thinking of the old tires and splintered wooden structure that it replaced late last year.  Then, I began thinking how nice of it was of the PTA to have donated the nearly $14,000 for the equipment.  That brought me to think of the Walk-A-Thon - the once-a-year fund raiser. When the school kids walked around and around the school to earn money from their family and community.  From which the money came to buy this equipment.  I thought of what the parents, who so generously gave this money to the kids, for their school, had to do to earn it.  Working late on cold nights at a mine driving truck, working underground, dealing 21, waiting tables at odd hours, working in a store helping hurried customers and more, much more.

I thought of the principal whose idea it was to try to replace the old equipment.  And Coach Brown who spent many hours reviewing suppliers and agonizing over different styles.  I thought of the time spent by Kevin Woods and the Nevada Youth Training kids.  Who spent cold days in the snow over Christmas break, while everyone else was off, assembling and setting up the equipment.

Just then the bell rang and my son showed up and brought me back to the present.  When I refocused, the boy was running up the meet what was probably an older brother.  It brought to mind that the young boy probably didn't think of any of this 'adult stuff' that it took to get the playground equipment there.  At his age, I'm fairly sure he  didn't feel any appreciation or gratitude to all, for the effort, time and money it took to get it there.  He just enjoyed playing there for a few minutes with his Grandpa looking on.

You know, in many ways, I am the same as this little boy.  I take so much for granted.  Family who helped me when I was young. Teachers who spent the time to help me learn.  People, I never met, who chipped in time and money to make a better school for me and other kids to attend.  I didn't even think of them till this afternoon - forty-some years later.   It might be too late now.  But I would like to say to them and you, for my son, Thank you.  Thank you so very much.  

 - Dan Turner 1/24/1    

Elko Nevada