The Return of the Bouncer

Around twenty years ago we purchased a trampoline for our children to reward them for some hard work performed on our farm here on Providence Prairie. I can still see Trey, Amanda and Rachel springing high into the sky doing stunts and bounding with laughter. The highest trampoline bounce ever recorded launched a man 22 feet in the air. Thankfully, their double bounces didn’t quite launch their companion that high! As time went on, the newness wore off as other avenues of life filled their time and the trampoline fell into disrepair.

When God blessed us with additional children, the trampoline once again became a point of interest and excitement. Statistically, trampolines are safer than you think, and they improve coordination, range of motion, and balance. As jumping shifts your center of gravity, it requires you to coordinate your landing so as not to lose your balance. NASA was said to have used trampolines to train future astronauts, since it helped them to get used to the constant bouncing on zero gravity flights. Time and frequent bouncing resumed the device’s inevitable demise, as one leg then another broke off the frame. Safety concerns made it unusable.

When the children recently spent time visiting with Ryan and Amanda for a few days, Rhonda and I were able to surprise the kids by moving the trampoline to the playground. I made the necessary welds to restore the bouncer to its old self. Boy, were they surprised!

I believe that the joy of bouncing has returned to Providence Prairie!

~Mark