The cracked sidewalks

Just came back from visiting some labs. I got basically a note from the Doctor's to do bloodwork and all the pertinent stuff to just make sure I'm on the clear. When it was all done, I decided to just walk back to grandma's house, see how much everything has changed.

As the old saying goes, the more things change, the more the remain the same. It's pretty fascinating to me to walk around neighborhoods and somewhat summon an old memory from the back of my head. It's as if it was a game of sorts. "It think there used to be a Bakery here", my father who is walking next to me responding, being the game show host.

He's gained a lot of weight, so the walk for him was a bit challenging, but it was still pleasant and to be honest, probably the best thing he could be doing for himself. I feel somewhat small next to him, and that's saying something.

I recognize most homes, yes, they've changed colors, and of course one or two have been knocked down, remade into different things. Even a parking lot all of the sudden appeared out of nowhere, the dreaded parking lots.

That being said, there is one thing I don't see anywhere.... children. When I was a kid, there was a horde of us walking around, playing in the park, riding bicycles and what have you. Where are they now? I know that people did not of all the sudden stop having children, but I guess these days, the kids stay inside?

I'm sincerely curious, but do not know how I would satisfy say curiosity. It's not like I can knock on doors and ask people if they have little kids and why the parks are empty.

Speaking of parks, the one right in front of grandma's house is all fenced in. Weird thing, no? Is it to slow people from getting in, or getting out? I'm struggling to see the function, and it sure does not make it seem like the place to be in, that's for sure.

That was the park you see... always full of kids, and three days have gone by and I've not seen a single one. That can't be coincidence...

Don't mean to end this entry on a bitter note, but it really made me think... have things really changed that much, or was it always the same, and in the micro world I lived in, I was never aware of it all.

@meno