The other day Tayen was trying to describe an activity involving a Frisbee and Dreams. I  could decipher it occurred at her pre-school, but with a three year old it can be tough to pin down “exactly” what’s “real” “imagined” or “consumed.”  I  did gather at least in this description the Frisbee was playing the part of stick.

Tayen:   “We passed around the Frisbee and said what we all wanted to be.”
Me:        “Oh, you mean like a talking circle?”
Tayen:    “Sure.”
Me:         “What did Victoria say?”
Tayen:    “She wanted to be a princess, they all wanted to be princesses.”
Me:         “What did you say?”
Tayen:    “I want to be a train driver.”

I was delighted. Talking circles, real or imagined can be healthy.  Fact, I’m facilitating one in my head right now.  Certain personalities crave the space and authority the stick can bring to the circle.  I also had to smile because deep down inside I think I want to be a train driver too.  Not the Amtrak variety or the kind at the mall during Christmas, but a steam locomotive engineer barreling up the foggy pass, trying to get em’ home, with quick wit and seasoned eyes that can see around the corner before anyone else.

Whenever I hear someone say, “don’t even get me started on…”, I instinctively want to get them started.  A few weeks ago at a family reunion (mom’s side) a cousin spoke that very line.  I don’t always, but in that moment probed and prodded, compelled to dig deep with her and others near us. Glad I/we did.  The three or four of us entered into one of those taboo/hot button/don’t go there topics…..&.. along the way learned much about each other and selves and stories.  It was a well spent hour.