Letter to my Children: Sidewalks and Errands

Dearest Beloveds,

Recently, we had 90 minutes of time between appointments.

Oh great, we can wander the sidewalks and get a treat. What a perfect summer afternoon.

It immediately became apparent that you two are not experienced in navigating sidewalks. We have been so spoiled with our wide expanse of gravel road walking - the dog chasing rabbits and birds across fields.

Sidewalk walking was jerks and dodges around bikes, parking meters, other humans, mailboxes, and even - each other.

“Dragon, don’t walk right in front of me!”

“Bean, you cut me off!”

Guess we need to practice more. “Dragon, hold my left hand. Bean, hold my right hand. We can make this work.” For the five seconds of wide sidewalk, enjoy this Corinna.

The clock is ticking on your willingness to hold my hand in public - I grok that. I also grok my time to teach sidewalk walking is coming to an end.

You two are now exploring our local village while I run errands. Without me. Without your father. With your sweaty hands clasped around your wallets and your eyes wide with excitement to go anywhere you want!

Toy store and browse/purchase?

Yup.

Bookstore and browse/purchase?

Yup!

Candy store and browse/purchase?

For sure!

Without your mother’s snarky comments about plastic crap or container ships polluting our oceans or renting items on the way to the landfill.

Full freedom to explore the world and the sidewalks however you want.

I am thrilled for you and also ignoring the What If Monster who is jumping up and down trying to get my attention. Its flags of kidnapping, dismembership by trucks, attacks by rabid dogs, and other tragic situations flip and flap around my head and I am IGNoRINg them!

“Mom, we will meet you at the bookstore at 2.”

“When can I start panicking?”

“2:15 at the latest. We might get distracted.”

A good day of growing for all of us.