What's that sound? [1]

I wondered what it was.

What's that sound?

I've heard it before.

Kids playing? Today? In the middle of that day? Covid-19 fearful adults lining up at supermarkets? When was the last time I heard kid laughter?

Walking the dogs I heard something I couldn't make out. Like birds chirping, an unadulterated cacophony of fun. I couldn't wrap my head around. I couldn't understand what it was until I saw them. Three kids, belly laughing, riding their skateboards on their stomachs on the sidewalks. It was surreal. They weren't on their so-called smartphones. They're too smart for that :) They were playing. Real playing! They were using their digits, body, and legs to have fun outside. They were simply having fun, the way we gray-haired folks used to when we were young ones.

A half-hour later, it got better. There were now four. A young girl tagged along. The leader had a bike. He pulled two boys on their stomach riding their skateboard and the young girl joined.

When was the last time I heard that?

48 years ago.