So long since my hands have touched these keys. So long since the Whispers would not relent until I sat and gave them voice. Oh my, 2020, what you have brought!

Returning from a quiet walk with nature’s solace, I sat at a stop light. How many stop lights our earth, country, and world have endured this year. Cracking my mind’s silence came the voice of children. Children? I’m at a stop light! I looked to my left and saw the play yard of a Head Start school. There, sitting in the corner of the playground were two young tater tots. A young African American boy and an equally young white girl. I watched their faces as they talked about whatever 3-4 year old children talk about. Suddenly, another tater tot came around the building waving his arms. I guess the bell had rung.

The two young ones stood up. The young boy reached to the ground and picked up her coat. They struggled with the mechanics of him helping her put it on. And then they walked back into the building, turning their heads towards each other as they spoke. Actually making eye contact.

I confess I cried, and luckily no one was behind me because I didn’t go when the light turned green. I sang the Whisper, “May you stay forever young.”

And so, I break the silence of the year’s turmoil with a simple image. A simple song. A simple Christmas wish for them, for us, for our world. It really is simple…. May you stay forever young.

Namaste

a little hobbit singing to herself, to the tater tots, to the world