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:
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.
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.
Definitely! Forts! What lovely memories, Miriam.
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!
Maria on the rock ~ darling. How fun to pick flowers to your heart's content, pick as many blossoms as your hands can hold.
This is such a fond memory. I'm so grateful and glad that you captured it.
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