Wednesday, April 10, 2013

An Open Space

Every street, in every neighborhood, should have an empty lot. Not a park, or path, or plan. Just a space where nature happens, where ideas develop. Every child should have an empty lot to go to, where wildflowers come and go, where trees beg to be climbed, and puddles invite splashing. There would be butterflies, ladybugs, spiders, and gophers. There might be a skinned knee, some splinters, muddy shoes.

There would be no rules, or agendas, or obligations. It would be the ideal place to throw dirt clods, and poke things with sticks. Picnics would be lavish affairs, with peanut butter sandwiches, berries, and cookies from a jar.















An empty lot is a ship, a stage, an island, a flower shop, a laboratory.
An empty lot is a blank canvas. Children bring the paint and brushes.
Great things happen in empty lots, and open spaces.

6 comments:

judy in ky said...

It's a beautiful place and I love to see the girls' smiles. When I was their age we had such places to play in, and now they are all built up.

Miriam said...

Fort building, too! I have wonderful memories of building a pretend pioneer cabin with my grandmother in an open space with birds and wildflowers.

You have painted a lovely, lovely picture.

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

Definitely! Forts! What lovely memories, Miriam.

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

Isn't it? And it's been empty for years, now.
But... signs are pointing toward construction :(
I do not begrudge someone their home, but
DARN!

Jenny said...

Maria on the rock ~ darling. How fun to pick flowers to your heart's content, pick as many blossoms as your hands can hold.

Janece said...

This is such a fond memory. I'm so grateful and glad that you captured it.