There is a small nature area near our house that we've walked past for years whenever we've been out on walks or bike rides. It's just a little patch of ivy and trees really, separating a busy street from a neighborhood. We noticed some time ago that someone had put some things there- an old little play structure, a home-made swing hung up from a tree branch, a rickety old trampoline, and a shovel that someone took the time to dig quite a big hole with. The jackpot, however, was the zip-line that was rigged between two trees. It's funny how human nature works (at least for me). Even though we saw all that stuff, we continued to walk by it for months. It felt like someone's special space, and we didn't dare trespass into it. Then, after a while, when we never saw anyone playing there, we would gingerly walk in, and the kids might swing for a while or jump into the hole. Then, as kids and adults will have it, we slowly, slowly became more daring, and the space felt more and more like our special place. It wasn't long before the zip-line, which previously looked like a complete death trap and I wouldn't even think about letting the kids get anywhere near, became Lizzy's favorite spot to swing and play from. Peter started playing all sorts of imaginary games in the big hole, and turned the play structure into a fishing boat. Now, this secret special spot feels entirely ours, and it's a staple on our walks. On the rare occasions when we see someone else playing there, we frown and momentarily pause, like they're so presumptuous to barge into our special spot, before we join them. I still have no idea who made this place, which kid and their dad used their time and imagination to create something so awesome, but if I did know, I'd thank them heartily for the countless hours of fun we've had there.
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