When Two Worlds Meet

“Hi, how are you doing?” said the young man with the deep tan. Perspiration was beaded on his forehead, his shirt was hanging out over his low riding jeans and he was headed for a vehicle to retrieve a smoke. His name was Danny – at least that is what his friends called him.

My reply to Danny was, “Not near as energetic as you guys are…” Danny grinned and snickered at my comment. There was understanding and a connection for us both. Two very unusual worlds met at that moment. Two worlds that likely do not understand each other very well.

It was around 7:45 PM last evening that I walked over to the Skateboard Park in Peterborough. It is situated just off the two large baseball fields and near the tennis courts. The city helped build this amazing structure of solid cement – with its dozens of apparatus and ramps to skateboard on. It is far enough from living beings that the cussing and laughter that comes from some to the “kids” isn’t an offense to neighbors. The constant din of rolling wheels on cement is always there as well. The city was smart.

I am sure that I may well have been taken for a cop for a few minutes as they looked me over. As I stood carefully to the side to take some shots and watched for a long time – they eyed me often and sometimes zoomed very close to where I stood.

Old guys with gray hair don’t usually skateboard… and this one is old enough to predate the invention of skate boards. The things that thus old guy used were roller skates with four steel wheels on each foot – like a miniature car. The skate was attached with a tightening key that screwed it all to your own shoe…. nothing like the wooden skateboard flying around this park.

After a while they seemed to not care with the old fellow looking on. I am supposing that they all have grandfather somewhere that they see from time to time. In fact as I pulled out the camera to shoot some photos the tricks became more lively. They loved the attention.

I noticed not long ago a young fellow doing tricks on our street and then stopping to see if some was looking at him. It is part of this subculture – a need to show your stuff. Not unlike my ‘old world’ with its muscle cars, paint jobs and roaring exhaust pipes of the early 1960s….

One young guy sported some large red bruises on his elbows. The scabs had formed and the redness was there from a recent fall. His tricks were few as he seemed to be hurting – but needed to be there with his buddies. Not much over 13 years old was my guess – a sharp young guy with rosy cheeks and a grin.

No there were no helmets or knee pads or elbow pads or wrist protection… they were not cool last night. There is no telephone to call an ambulance either – we are in the middle of a field and if you are hurt – crawling to the convenience store two blocks away is a possibility. But no one needs to think of that – there were a half dozen cell phones among this tribe of energetic youth.

I should mention here that it is late June – Exam time for most guys this age in Peterborough. Being home hitting the books was not a possibility from what I witnessed. They were book hitting age but without any interest. A clear night with all your buddies at the skateboard park was more than enough to slam the books shut and say “I am outta here!”

As I reflected on what I was witnessing on these rolling hills and ramps, rails and ledges I came to unsettling feeling – that – I can/could do that – a few years ago.

I remember sitting on a horse that my uncles prepared for me. It was saddled and ready and then they pulled the strap tight on its flank in front of its back legs… At that moment all world changed and the horse tried its hardest to dismount me. For about 10 seconds or so my world changed and my memory bank was permanently etched with the most unbelievable excitement that one man can ever have. There is nothing like riding a horse that wants nothing more than to get rid of that horrible feeling in front of its back legs. The rider need not take it personally when the ride became rough.

But that was a long time ago.

When I turned to go… there was a small ledge that I needed to step down from. I had been inspired and I hoped down. Immediately my stiff legs said loudly – “NOT GOOD!” But for a moment as I turned to look at the guys flying and spinning through the air – I was young again. My legs said thanks for the memories… and I headed home.

Thanks guys… I am praying for you today…

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~