A Day at the Park

I hear we’re a nation divided, on the verge of civil war. I see it on facebook, X, comment sections. They are coming for us.

They’re out to get us.

They. The other side. Pick a side. They are vermin. They wish you harm. They are out to get you.

They might be politicians. They could be on Tik Tok. They could be influencers. It’s that neighbor with that political sign in their yard. Teachers. Preachers. Gays. Homeless folks. Immigrants. They are coming and they won’t stop until they destroy you.

After seeing this in my feed all week, division was in the front of my mind as we took our five year old daughter to Day In the Park today.

Only, they didn’t show up.

It was a sunny September Saturday. The kind of blue sky day that only comes when school is back in session and fall is around the corner. Balloons littered the landscape. The squeals of children playing. But I wasn’t fooled for a minute. I kept an eye out for division.

A few ponies and some face painting wouldn’t deter me. I was on a mission. I peeked behind trees, in the bushes, I checked the food trucks more than once, but all I found was a good time. And nachos.

This couldn’t be right. I knew for a fact we’re at each other’s throat as I came upon the jump houses, figuring the kids were going at it. Wrong again, they looked to be having a blast. Sticky hands, cotton candy smiles, some smeared faces but bouncing in unison.

Next, it was over to the DJ area, where maybe there was some division or arguing, a verses battle or something, anything that resembled the comment sections I see so often on the news. Nope, only the Electric Slide. My jam

Clearly I wasn’t looking hard enough. Around me were people of all ages and all walks of life. Different races and creeds. People of all sizes and shapes. People in wheelchairs. I saw a guy in a dress. I saw a woman in pants. I did find one extremely unhappy baby, but I think that was more of a diaper situation. Mostly moms, dads, aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. Everyone looked to be having a good time. Everyone was cordial. I had a few discussions about football. A guy tried to give me a bible. I overpaid for nachos. All in all it was a good time.

So maybe I missed it, or maybe division took the day off. Or maybe we could all head out and join a park full of people and enjoy the day.

I recommend it.