We drove by Washington Elementary yesterday. It isn’t a school anymore. Condos now. It’s funny to think of people living in all of my learning. My cursive writing. My sentence forming. My coloring. And milk drinking – reluctantly. And nap taking – reluctantly. They are now living in my library. My sacred library, where all things were deemed possible. They are living in my gym and my cafeteria. In my paper cutting, math problems, hand raising, pledge of allegiance, whispers, laughter-filled, question-filled youth-filled rooms. And I am happy for them! So happy. It must still fill the air. I could feel it as we drove by. I can feel it as I’m typing this now, just as if I’ve jumped off the golden bus, with jimbly legs and eager heart, ready to start the day.
They live in that now – those condo dwellers. I wonder if they know it was me when they have that extra step, that feeling of maybe today, that flash of wonder… we gave that to them.

On Saturday we will watch my gazelle like great niece run Cross Country. And she will do the same for us. Fill us with heart racing, jimbly legs, and all the gifts of youth. And I, we, will still believe, all things, all golden things, are possible.