Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Running Away From Home


I remember, as a kid, getting angry at my parents and making up my mind to run away from home. I don't think I ever got further than the end of my street, but, at the time, I had big plans to get away.

Today Clay decided to run away from home. He packed up the wagon with a basketball, a little stool and his bike and started to take off. Sure, he'd only have the bathing suit on his body to wear until he got a job, made some money, and could go shopping for new clothes. Yeah, he'd have nothing to eat until he ran across a lemonade stand where the kids might take pity on him and give him a free cup of juice. Or maybe he'd find some "gently used" gum on the sidewalk in his travels that would hold him over until, again, he got a job and could afford food.

But he was all set as far as sports-like activities to keep him occupied. He could ride his bike. He could play basketball. If extreme loneliness set in, he could draw a face on the basketball, name him Spalding, and call him his friend. Or if he was a little tired, he could whip out the stool, kick back and watch some other folks play sports. The wagon would be perfect for sleeping. If it was too sunny or rainy out, he could turn the wagon upside down and hunker down beneath it. Clearly, he had all the bases covered.

I didn't think Clay was mad at me. I couldn't remember yelling at him or doing anything that would have prompted his exodus. When I asked him, "Clay, why are you running away?" he answered simply, "Because I'm bored."
"Ohhh. You're bored, huh? Well, where are you going to go?"
"To Jaina's house."
"You think it'll be more fun to live at your friend's house?"
"Yes. But I wish I knew how to get there," he lamented.
"Do you think Jaina's family will let you live there forever?"
"Yeah, but it would be better to go to Disney World. How do you get to Florida?"
"Well, Clay, you walk down our street and turn left when you get to the end..."
"Which way is left?" he interrupted.
"That way," I pointed the direction. "Then you want to go down, oh, 3 or 4 blocks and make a right. Then you just keep walking that way for eight and a half months."
"Mom, it would take 30 days to walk to Florida."
"Oh sorry. My bad," I relented. "So, Clay, what would you eat while you were running away from home?"
"Sticks and stuff."
"Where would you sleep?"
"In the grass."
"What if it was raining?"
"Then I'd sleep in a bush."
"I see. Do you think you'd miss us?"
"No."
"OK then. It sounds like you've got it all figured out. Carry on, Clay, carry on."

By the way, he's still here and is wondering what's for dinner. Should I serve him a plate of sticks?

38 comments:

Jennifer in Wisconsin said...

So cute to see that they have such an elaborate imagination but scary at the same time when they actually follow through with it. On the other hand, so surprised Clay didn't think to pack food. :)

Anonymous said...

Absolutely!!! Fish sticks!!!
Colleen
St Helens OR

Jacob said...

That is so funny. I remember the days when my brother would say "I'm running away and never coming home!" It's funny that Clay has a friend named Jaina, that's my daughters name.

My Trendy Tykes said...

LOL!
My two younger ones have told me that they were running away several times. I even help them pack.....

I say give him sticks! haha

Kristine said...

LOL! Because I'm bored. Dawn, aren't you entertaining him? It's summer for goodness sakes!

Alli said...

Awwwwww.......

Lisa said...

That is too funny, I think all kids think about running at one point or another. LOL

Martha said...

Too funny.

MaBunny said...

LOL how funny!

Amy said...

That is too cute! Definitely a picture you will treasure for years...one of those "remember when...?" moments. Glad he didn't actually go through with his plan.

Bailey's Leaf said...

I actually would serve him sticks. Underneath, I'd have dinner covered with Saran wrap or something, but a pile of sticks it would be!

Elleah said...

It's interesting the way kids think!

Twisted Cinderella said...

LOL too funny! I remember conversations like that with my parents. I have yet to have one like that with my Princesses.

Sallie said...

Brings back memories of when my daughter wanted to run away as a 3 and 4 year old. I'd say, "Ok, but remember, you're not allowed to cross the street." She get to the end of the driveway with her bundle, sigh, and return home.

H-Mama said...

Cute!!

Laura ~Peach~ said...

LMAO... 30 days walk huh... hes fast! maybe he seeis it as all downhill from there LMAO... so fun!

Jo-Ann said...

Oh thank you so much for this Dawn! So nice to hear it isn't just my kids.

My youngest decided to run away last weekend and had his bag packed with his spiderman toys. He never made it to the front door though because it was dinner time and I guess he was hungry and decided to stay.

Thanks for the laugh!

Summer Freeman said...

That's great!! Cute kid! Cute mamma!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Dawn, I remember running away from home. Only I just sat in the woods next to the house untill hunger set in. Funny thing is we bought the house I grew up in from my mother. I just can't seem to get away :) Kristine in Michigan.

Anonymous said...

This reminded me of one of my brothers' attempts to run away. Mom asked him what he would be eating and he gave the same "sticks" answer. Mom asked if he would be eating them raw or did he plan to cook them. He thought he would cook them. When Mom asked where he planned to cook them since he didn't have any matches to start a campfire, he said he would ask one of the hobos to cook them over his steam grate.

Made me chuckle and brought back memories when I read Clay's plans for this exodus.

Pat

Elizabeth said...

When my sister was 5 or 6 she ran away from home, but didn't get very far because she wasn't allowed to cross the street by herself.

Flea said...

Sticks and leaves. Maybe some poison ivy. Or some of those really cute looking 5 fingered leaves the neighbor tends in his back yard.

Wendi said...

I remember trying to run away from home when I was 9 or 10. I wrapped up a jar of PB in a t-shirt and walked up the hill. Then I just sat there for awhile until my mom came and found me. I wasn't bored--I was just sick of the girls in the neighborhood teasing me. I think Clay thought it through better than I did! :)

Tamara said...

Dawn,

My husband and I will be in Chicago for about 3-4 days around the U2 concert, and are wondering what are some of the "absolutely, have to see" sights? If you could let me know, either in your next Sunday sound out, or by email, that would be great.

Thanks,
TAmara

Anonymous said...

Bless him. I ran away once, took 9 pairs of knickers and my baby talk doll. Hid behind a wall, mum knew I was there, left me, 10 minutes later (it felt like hours!) I came home and sulked. Love it.

Carol said...

One of my boys always said he was going to turn me in to the child protection service or something like that when I would spank him or punish him. He would say it was "Child Abuse"/ I always retorted with, "What about Parent abuse?"

Pams Party said...

My daughter ran away when she was 5 in the middle of winter. She told me that I was a mean mommy so she was going to go live with her friend Carly.. After a few minutes of standing at the end of the driveway she came back in and said she didnt know how to get to Carlys house.. LOL! (Carly lived across town to get there she would have to be driven)

Michelle said...

Oh that's hilarious. I tried running away from home, too, but only when I was mad. And clothes was always the first thing I packed.

Clay though? He is one cool dude. I love that he thought to take the wagon. He ws really doing some good planning ahead. He's one smart cookie there, Dawn!

Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend said...

Just blog hopping and enjoyed reading your blog. I love reading about new blog friends....


http://teresa-grammygirlfriend.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

I almost convinced my little brother to run away back in the day. I even helped him pack a suitcase, walked him to the door ... and suddenly he balked. Had no idea where to go. I suggested he start walking down the street and tried to shove the door shut. Mom picked that moment to walk by and ask what we were up to.

Little whiney baby started crying and said, "Julie told me I have to run away."

Stephanie said...

Priceless. And I love that you followed him and took his picture!

Anonymous said...

Yep sticks...yummy.

Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional said...

He didn't even get out the door? What a great adventure! ;o)

Otisbee33 said...

Hey Dawn, haven't been here in a while, but my blog today made me think of you. Maya (my daughter) had a dream that I posted about, you can check it out when you have time http://www.xanga.com/kidzandK9z

Deirdre said...

I wish I had thought to take pictures when my daughter packed up her stuff and headed uphill in a minor snowstorm, complete with pathetic looks back as she waited for us to catch up with her and beg her not to go. After about 10 minutes she concluded that it was too cold to run away, came home, and asked for hot chocolate.

Halle said...

I remember "running away" when I was a kid...I made it across a state highway and everything...not bad for an only child. I was 4...times were more simple then. I didn't have the forethought of your boy...I brought nothing.

Shellie said...

Just make them pretzel sticks.

Supermom in Disquise said...

This is so funny! Im a new reader to your blog and I absolutely love it! Its always the first one I read in the morning.

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