Celebrating 17
Happy Birthday, Harper!
Harper Rose, my firstborn and the inspiration for this organization, turns 17 today. We have always celebrated our daughter and her big day. You might recognize her silhouette from the ‘A’ of the Harper’s Playground logo.
This organization bears her name, as does the seal of approval for the set of unique design principles we’ve lovingly cultivated to transform the world—one inclusive playground at a time.
For our family, this journey began 17 years ago today, on June 8, 2005, with the birth of Harper. Having a child who experiences disability opened our eyes to the frustrating existence of ableism and exclusion.
In that intense early period, I vowed never to focus on changing my daughter. But if I could change and bend the world to be a safer, more welcoming place for her, I would dedicate the rest of my life to doing so.
On a sunny morning four days after Harper was born, I sat outside of Legacy Emanuel Hospital’s NICU where she spent nearly a month, and turned to a blank page in her baby book. It beckoned for a message.
I wrote a letter to Harper from my heart, which I’ve never shared publicly before. Looking back, 17 years later, these dreams ring even more true today:
Dearest Harper,
Every breath that you take fulfills a dream for me. I dream for you a life that you can be proud of. I dream for you the courage to embrace yourself, to challenge yourself and to stand up for yourself…
….In my dreams of you, you are laughing and crying with equal passion, you’re caring and kind while you are focused on your path. I dream that you will love this world as if it was yours, because it is.
Your daddy dreams that you will teach him more than he can hope to teach you. I love you more than these words will ever reflect. In my dream of you, you love me right back.
— Daddy Cody
An Extra Helping of Blessing
Harper has already taught me life’s most valued lessons. Part of the extra helping of blessing that is Harper, is her ability to ground me in the present. She loves life, shows up with a smile on her face, and is fully alive in the moment.
I’m convinced that Harper is making a beautiful dent in the universe based on her beauty, her presence, and her ability to relish the small moments. Whenever I’m lost in this work, I return to her as inspiration and that grounds me.
The gift of Harper is also the gift of perspective. Through the very existence of our organization, Harper is not hidden as children like her in the past were. Instead we proudly share her gifts with the world and seek more visibility. Harper and her sister Lennon have shown me the work I was supposed to do.
And that work began ten years ago at Arbor Lodge…
Arbor Lodge Park Turns 10
‘Harper’ Birthday to You!
Harper likes to play, but even more so she enjoys watching others play. She feels happiness through the joy of others. This character-defining quality not only speaks to her essence, but represents the heart of this organization. In addition to Harper’s 17th birthday, 2022 also marks the 10th birthday of the original Harper’s Playground at Arbor Lodge Park.
As I look back over the last decade in Harper’s life, I am immensely proud of the impact she has had. I sense the change reflected in hundreds of people across the globe who’ve download our How-To Manual yearly—from Sierra Leone to Romania to Indonesia.
A Decade of Arbor Lodge
Through the countless communities who have partnered with us to build an inclusive natural playground, or constructed one inspired by us, we are witnessing a movement take hold.
In addition to being Harper’s 17th birthday, 2022 also marks the 10th birthday of our first playground—the original Harper’s Playground at Arbor Lodge Park. As I look back over the last decade in Harper’s life, I am immensely proud of the impact she has had.
Ten years into Arbor Lodge, I sense the change reflected in the hundreds of people across the globe who download our How-To Manual yearly—from Sierra Leone to Romania to Indonesia. Through the countless communities who have partnered with us to build an inclusive natural playground, or constructed one inspired by our unique design principles, we are witnessing a movement take hold.
The Next 10 Years
Of course, there is always more work to be done. This June and always, as we celebrate Pride Month, I feel a rainbow of kinship and camaraderie amongst all organizations working for social justice change. Pride is rooted in the history of communities who have struggled to overcome prejudice and be accepted for who they are.
Whether exclusion is met physically on an unnavigable playground, or socially by LGBTQIA+ youth in their homes or school hallways, we must lift each other’s voices and forge ahead towards a world in which all are included.
Pride is rooted in the history of communities groups who have struggled to overcome prejudice and be accepted for who they are. Whether exclusion is met physically on the merry-go-round of an unnavigable playground, or socially by LGBTQ+ youth in their homes or school hallways, we must seek to lift each other’s voices, help one another, and carry forward our work towards a world in which all are included.
I’m convinced that Harper is making a beautiful dent in the universe based on her beauty, her presence, and her ability to relish the small moments. Whenever I’m lost in this work, I return to her as inspiration and that grounds and inspires me.
The greatest asset to any organization is always the people. On a very personal level, the reason I want to change the world for Harper, is not so she’ll have more access to a play feature, but so there will be more people who care about her and love her when I am gone. I thank you for taking this journey with us.
Peace, Love & Play,
G Cody QJ Goldberg
Founder & Executive Director | Harper & Lennon’s Dad