Little creative touches really do mean a lot
It's the little things that count.
I was reminded of life's simple joys through the eyes of my grandnephews when my niece and her family visited Thursday from Muncie, Ind.
While showing off the changes in our historic downtown, as well as the rehabilitation along the Riverwalk, we toured Century Walk outdoor art pieces in our path along Main Street and Chicago Avenue.
We stopped at Cookie Dough Creations where Peyton, 2, "yummed" it up, pretending to munch the bunch of cookies painted on an indoor mural.
When Peyton became a little restless waiting for his 5-year-old brother, Jaden, to finish his strawberry ice cream, I took him for a quick ride around the block in his stroller, giving his folks a little break.
Five minutes later, Jaden was waiting for his turn. When he climbed into the double-seated stroller, he insisted that "Aunt Stephanie" push. I didn't like the extra attention too much!
We headed east along Chicago Avenue, crossing Washington Street for a clear view of the colorful brushstrokes on the side of The Lantern tavern titled "A City in Transit."
We ventured to Fredenhagen Park for a look at "Two in a Million," a sculpture of Grace and Walter Fredenhagen, founders of Naperville's first ice cream business.
We identified a couple familiar bricks around the Exchange Club Memories Fountain and explained water likely would be flowing soon.
Recognizing the youngsters' appreciation for creativity, I noticed lights on upstairs in the Comedy Shrine at River Square, where David Sinker's collection of posters and memorabilia is a tribute to just about every funny person who ever lived -- especially if its ever been posted on eBay.
Just for the art of it, we went up and shot a few photos in the lobby with a life-sized sculpture of Charlie Chaplin as the Tramp.
Afterward, we headed north along Washington Street for more photos at Veterans Valor, a five-figure sculpture that pays tribute to World War II veterans.
Now standing next to the Kroehler YMCA, with the 1910 cornerstone, we went inside for more history. The boys immediately were attracted to the steps leading up to the picture window overlooking a pool, where Jaden was drawn to the lifeguard watching adults swim laps and one man with a kick board.
We finally peeled the boys away from the window with the promise they could go swimming in the pool at their hotel.
Poetry remembered
You may recall my mentioning the serendipitous moments I sometimes encounter as the "contact us" person for several Naperville Web sites.
Via the Riverwalk Foundation Web site, I received an e-mail Saturday from Lakewood, Calif.
"A number of years ago we took our children on the Riverwalk," Judy wrote, explaining that she lives about 20 miles from the Rose Bowl. "We really enjoyed the walk and the park. One thing that stands out in my mind, and also one of my sons, was a poem we saw on a rock there. … The poem ends with something about more flowers on the path of life and fewer on the grave at the end of life."
I know that 1979 memorial to Clyde "Budd" Netzley, Rufus Dirck Schumacher and Harry B. Ridley well. I've observed it hundreds of times during my jaunts along the Riverwalk, just west of the Netzley House Visitors Center beyond the foot bridge, on the north side of the brick path behind RiverPlace.
Here's what it says:
What We Need
A little more kindness and a little less creed,
A little more giving and a little less greed.
A little more smile and a little less frown,
A little less kicking when a man is down.
A little more "we" and a little less "I,"
A little more laugh and a little less cry.
A little more flowers on the pathway of life,
And fewer on graves at the end of life.
And a little more
All that said, in these complicated times of trying to imagine everything from nanoseconds to globalization, perhaps the arrival of spring is another reason to pay a little more attention to how the world looks to our children.