My son and I went downtown today. We've done this before when he has a day off school. I don't think it's an outing that everyone takes their child on but he and I have gone since he was in his stroller.
Downtown used to be where I spent a lot of my time. I worked there for several years before my son was born and I enjoyed the energy, the lunches I spent on my own and with others, the shopping. I missed it when I started staying home.
My son is interested in buildings. Sometimes he takes an architectural book with him and we track down some of the buildings listed and look inside when possible. He is not just along for the ride; he makes the most of these trips.
The instructor of a class I was in last night said that she never goes downtown. I understand that she doesn't have a job that takes her there but neither do I. I find it a little sad to think that people can be comfortably apart from the heart of the city. Yes, downtown is not all pretty but it's where a lot of people come together and a lot of living goes on. By staying isolated from that central core, we are not really a part of a cohesive whole. We can all stay in our satellite locations and go back and forth in our little worlds but at least every once in a while, I think it's good to go further, to go downtown and to experience all that it is.
I'd rather be downtown and witness life in its many forms than in the suburbs on a weekday afternoon, wondering if there is still life left on this planet. I'm glad we went downtown today.
JAHD
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