Marisa Potts
January 23rd, 2024
The blue playground beside the back gravel field at Upper Lynn Elementary
1. For this assignment I decided to visit the park at my old elementary school, Upper Lynn Elementary. My reasoning for this choice was because of the amount of memories that were made on this bench with my friends and family. Throughout my early years at Upper Lynn it was known that only the older kids were allowed to sit on these benches, due to the fact the younger grades were separated from older grades at recess and lunch. Me and all my friends always longed to sit there just like the kids before us had done, I couldn’t wait to be old enough for that opportunity to come. As every year passed, I crept closer and closer to the age where I would be allowed to, and when I eventually was, I felt like a kid on Christmas morning. Every kid in my grade would fight for a spot on the best bench, it was our version of a 500 meter dash. Right when the bell would ring the race was on, except instead of a gold medal, our reward was a bench to sit on with our friends. These memories may seem chaotic and childish, which is exactly what they are, and why I cherish and appreciate them so much. Those years I couldn’t wait to grow up and be mature, I wasn’t focusing on how amazing and simple my life was. No responsibilities or job, all I was required to worry about was my friends, family, and the ABC’s. I look back at these memories where I only focused on growing up, and find it sad yet ironic that now that I am grown up, I wish I could go back sometimes.
2. My trip to the bench started at around 12:15 on January 12th, 2024. I was unable to drive to Upper Lynn Elementary, so I walked to the bus stop, waited at the bus stop, and got on board. When arriving at the closest bus stop to the school I exited and walked up Hoskins Rd. This street brought back many memories for me. I used to live in a house on that road with my family, and would walk up Hoskins to go to elementary school. I walked up and turned left down Coleman Rd, looking at all the houses I had seen everyday for years when I was a child. I walked up the front path to the school and then continued up the side of the school to eventually see the gravel field and blue playground I grew up playing on. Continued across the gravel field, and reached the small grass hill where the benches I was intending to see were. No kids or adults in sight, I sat and began to notice all the small details of my surroundings. The cold wind hit my face immediately after taking a seat, and my face became bright red right away. It was silent except for the whistle of the wind for about five minutes, until a mom and her son came to play at the park. Instantly my mind was flooded with different times I have had the time of my life on that very field years prior, just like the little boy with his mom. First, I noticed the soccer posts that me and my friends would play volleyball over, my attention then shifted to the circle of rocks under the trees me and my classmates would sit on to avoid the rain. Those moments waiting for recess and lunch to be over to avoid the bad weather, were filled with laughs and whispers between me and my peers. These experiences were nothing special or out of the ordinary, but for me they mean something a little bit more. I grew up with these friends and classmates, and haven’t seen them since I made the choice to switch highschools. I don’t get reminded of these memories too often because I don't visit the school nor do I have many photos that would spark these recollections. However, sometimes when I have the opportunity to relive those moments, I am brought back to simpler times.
October 27th, 2008. Two days after my 2nd birthday, my mom took me to the park that I loved near our apartment building.
3. If a bench was dedicated to me I would wish for it to be placed near the neighborhood I was primarily raised in. More specifically around the Highgate apartments by Lynn Valley Mall, and beside the small park across the street I always played at. This space was always my favorite place to go, and whenever I was sad or upset my mom would bring me to this park. Before we would leave to go however, she would always remind me “everything is exactly how it should be,” which is what I would want to be inscribed onto the bench. This message helped and continues to help me alot on a day to day, and is the exact message I would want displayed on the inscription plate. She would then pack up a box of chalk, my favourite doll and doll stroller, and walk us over to cheer me up. I would be wearing my favourite outfit of that week, which was fairly uncoordinated, but I wore it with confidence regardless. A small green, orange, and blue playground structure was placed in the center of the park’s rubber flooring. A rickety old bench resigned in the corner, where my dad, babysitter, and or grandparents would sit when watching me. My mom however never even touched the bench, she would instead be right by my side, using chalk to draw on the concrete with me, pushing me down the slide, or just standing around waiting for me to say “Mom! Look at me, look at me!” I had my happiest memories at that park, just dreading for my mom to say we had to go home for dinner or because it was getting dark, and if I had a choice I would wish for the memory of me to resign there forever.
Two photos of Cypress Lookout, one showing the view during the day, and the other showing the view during the night.
4. If I ever dedicated a bench to somebody I would choose for it to be located at Cypress Lookout, beside the walkway and facing the water. I have visited Cypress Lookout with multiple friends and family members and that is because of a multitude of reasons. It has a gorgeous scenic view, day and night, and a long cement path to walk along. Due to Cypress Lookout being considered a tourist attraction, the days there are filled with constant visits from people all over, even locals such as myself. However, Cypress Lookout at night has a completely different atmosphere compared to the day. If someone was to visit Cypress Lookout after the sun had gone down, they would quickly notice the absence of noise. Time seems to stop when I am there at night and everyone follows the unspoken rule that if you have to talk, you whisper so the people around you can continue enjoying the view. The lights from the bridge, every car, street light, and building window illuminate the night. It feels like a break from reality in a sense, because you get to see all the hustle and bustle of everyone below while you just watch. I think this is a beautiful and somewhat peaceful place to have a memorial bench. I would also have the inscription plate read “There’s so much beauty when your eyes lay lost in all the city lights.”
5. Dear Journal,
Today I decided to take a break from homework to go to Upper Lynn Elementary and sit on the bench for the “Sitting on a Story Blog.” The bus ride to the school was very nostalgic for me, because when I would have to bus to school in grade 7, that is the exact route I would take. I arrived and did the same walk that I had done for years and years. I passed by the same houses and the same trees and started to reminisce about the simpler life I used to live.
When arriving at the bench, I was met with a cold winter breeze. My face turned slightly red from the temperature and couldn’t help but remember all the winter days I spent with my classmates at this exact location. The snowmen I made with friends, rolling around making snow angels, and throwing snowballs while hiding behind snow barcades. Then, I witnessed a boy and his mom appear at the park a couple minutes later. They reminded me ever so slightly of my own mom and brother, and how my own family would visit the same playground on weekends. Seeing the mom and her son brought me a sense of happiness, but that was then followed by a hint of sadness. It made me realize that the time of my life in which me, my brother, and my parents would go to the park and spend the day, was over and I had grown past that. Which I don’t consider a bad thing, it just taught me an important lesson that you shouldn’t take anything or anyone for granted, because someday it will be gone.
Sincerely,
Marisa Potts
6. “Growing Up” by Mary Spain suits the bench I chose and reflects the feelings of nostalgia I had. This poem reflects on the experience of growing up, capturing moments of realization and the shifting perspective that comes with age. The speaker notes a significant moment when they could no longer walk easily beneath the table, signaling the onset of physical growth. As the speaker grows taller, there is an anticipation of reaching a level where adults seem to possess all-encompassing knowledge. The desire to be tall becomes a metaphor for aspiring to understand the complexities of the adult world. However, as the speaker matures, they express a subtle irony in realizing that wisdom is a continuous journey. Despite physical growth, the speaker suggests that the process of gaining wisdom is ongoing, and there is always more to learn, conveying a sense of humility and the cyclical nature of personal development.
7. This poem reflects on the perception of growing up and the expectations associated with it. The speaker initially sees growing up as a journey towards gaining knowledge and wisdom, with the anticipation of reaching a point where adults seemingly "know it all." The desire to grow tall symbolizes the yearning for understanding and maturity, believing that wisdom comes with age. However, as the speaker actually grows up, the perspective shifts. The realization comes that wisdom is a continuous journey, and there is always more to learn. The final lines, "Grown up, I find I'm growing down instead," suggest that the speaker recognizes the ongoing process of self-discovery and learning, even in adulthood. This connects with my personal philosophy that values lifelong learning and sees wisdom as a never-ending pursuit. In addition, The notion of "growing down,” which I related to earlier on, I interpreted as a return to childlike curiosity, a willingness to embrace the unknown. The poem, therefore, connects with a personal philosophy that values continuous learning, humility, and a childlike openness to the wonders of the world, even in the face of adulthood.
8. Parks are important places that can help improve communities. They give us spaces to play, exercise, and relax. Parks are not just for fun; they're also where people come together, making friends and sharing good times at events and festivals. Having trees, plants, and wildlife in parks makes them look nice and helps the environment too while also adding beautiful scenery to the area. Parks can also teach us things, like history or nature. Being in a park is good for our mental health because it's a break from our busy lives. I personally love parks! I have outgrown the playground structure aspect of parks, but I find the surroundings and environment so relaxing to be around, especially with friends. Multiple times me and my close friends have driven to a park in the summer and spent the day there. Enjoying good food, sun, and the stress free environment was one of my favorite ways to spend a day in the summer. If the weather was better, I would suggest a day at the park to friends or family with zero hesitation.
9. “Young, Dumb, Broke”
Reminiscing of all my past choices
Each one like a ghost that haunts me
Being thrown into a world so unfamiliar
Unclear on where i’m meant to be
And cheers to the years that quickly slid
My only excuse is that I lived
Lived like a young, dumb, broke highschool kid
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