Independence

I was recently involved in an on line "art show" depicting Independence. It was off topic on a support forum for fibromyalgia. You can imagine there were the usual pictures of fireworks and flags. I posted a couple pictures of my son when he was deployed to Iraq. I posted pictures of the kids jumping when they were small. I thought about it for several more days and even asked a couple friends what they pictured when they thought of Independence. One said FREEDOM and the other said BEING IN CHARGE OF YOUR LIFE.
I realized that my most independent times were when I was a child. It seems an unreasonable answer but here it is:
Pieces of independence -
Hop Scotch and Tether Ball,
Long days roaming the bluffs of my childhood...
Riding bikes and twirling under tumbleweeds that became umbrellas for dancing in the rain.
Building forts and sailing on the large cement block that was my boat...
Eating home-made popsicles while sitting on the oil drum elephant in the back yard.
Enjoying the swimming pool and then laying on the hot cement to dry - I still love the smell of water hitting hot cement.
Realizing now, that as an adult I am a prisoner to my stress, my job and my uncooperative body - and to the medications that are supposed to help me but threaten to take away my independent memories.
When I was a child and more dependent than any other time of my life was when I experienced the most freedom.
I long for clearer memories and hope that a bit of childhood is holding on in my heart to keep me from withering away like the wildflowers that no longer fill the hills of my youth.