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It is March 2022 and time for the
Every single day, for all thirty-one days of March,
writers will share stories.
Thank you, Two Writing Teachers, for creating this supportive community
of teacher-writers!
My three year old granddaughter "Frog" and I are on a neighborhood walk, and we stop to visit a nearby garden. Frog suggests a game of hide-n-seek - and the suggestion alone makes me smile.
Usually, I am not game to play hide-n-seek. I find it anxiety-provoking; I fear losing a child. It's one of those weird things that has haunted me for years as an early childhood teacher - the terrifying possibility I will have to explain to a family that I can't find their child. Yes, I know, this fear is exaggerated, misplaced, ridiculous, but isn't this the work of fear?
However, today's particular game of hide-n-seek, just Frog and I, is different. My goodness, what an absolutely delightful idea!
There's simply no place to hide or be lost in this little garden. It is created in a very small island at the intersection of two quiet streets in my neighborhood. Let me share a photo of the whole place, to give you a little perspective:
As you can see, there's no place to go. At this time of year, especially, there is no place to hide - all the plants are wintering below in the still cold ground. I can see everything clearly, everywhere, all around.
Hide-n-seek? How will we do this? What does Frog have in mind? How can I not laugh out loud at the possibility of this game?
Let me share the details of how to play hide-n-seek with a three year old magical thinker.
This is what it sounds like:
(Frog's narration)
Let's play hide and seek in the forest!
Can you find me?
What do you see, Nana?
Do you see
red pants
brown hair
pink shoes?
Who could it be?
Now, a new place.
Nana, can you find me?
Where do you think I could be hiding?
How about now?
Just one more place, Nana.
Can you find me now?
This is what it looks like:
(Frog's hiding places)
This is what it feels like:
(Nana's perspective)
soft
healing
love
Just one more place, Nana.
Can you find me now?
I will always find you, dear one.
Always.
