My daughter likes to make paper kites. There has to be 30 of them around the house- as I cleaned my studio this week I found 15 more. They don't fly. She makes them really colorful with several layers of construction paper, glued on beads, colorful ribbons, etc. Then- she ties a long strand of kitchen twine to it and adds a tail. The tail has to be "special". Using a satin ribbon- I purchased to adorn her curly blond hair - she ties toys to the tail.
With full confidence in her aeronautic engineering, she takes the kite outside and runs, full speed - to make the kite fly. She has done this for an hour at a time only giving up- declaring that "It's just not windy enough."
I couldn't bring myself to throw out these kites. I have become all too aware that my time left with things like paper kites is very precious and winding down. She's 9 and 1/2. She's at the age when skepticism is waiting around the corner- magic is packing it's bags. She's still very much a believer in all things tooth fairy and Santa Claus- but I know- I don't have long.
One of these days, she will make a paper kite, deciding to leave off all of the beads and glue. She will think critically of the speed at which she will have to run and the direction the wind is blowing. She will untie the objects of her childhood- that are weighing it all down.
And the kite will take flight.
And so will she.
Awww.. go on... re-kindle the kite magic. Make a kite, a paper one that really flies, and decorate it together. You need to think of the spars to support the dynamics, and the bridle to place the surface at the correct angle to catch the air, but it really isn't so hard to make a kite that actually does fly, and the fun in seeing your design up in the sky, dancing on a string is immeasurable.
ReplyDelete(If you crumple the paper, then stretch it out flat again to make the kite, it doesn't tear so easily in the wind.)
Good idea! - I made one in college that flew all day. It was exciting. I will do this , this Spring with her! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteKite magic? Read Stephen Messer's Windblowne, magical, fantastical, well written and all about sentient kites in many dimensions! Very Cool
ReplyDeleteI'm also hanging on to their childhood here, but I have to say, it's really fun to see them grow. To get to know their older versions. Sniff, sniff.
ReplyDeleteNary a truer sentiment was spoke. I am a mother of 3 and grandmother of 2 and this stage gets me every single time. Spring is almost here, don't forget to make that kite with her!
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