The Storytellers
“The Billy Cart Derby is on tomorrow”, I remind the Munchkin when I pick him up from school on Thursday. “Do you want to decorate your bike for the Junior Wheels Competition? I can help you for the rest of the afternoon if you like.”
It’s a poor substitute for a billy cart, I know, but at least it means he can participate.
He starts spouting ideas, in typical Munchkin fashion. “A rocket would be good, Mum.” I try to conceal my excitement… he might just tackle a creative project yet!
At home, he scours the collection of craft materials, finally pulling out two cheap paper Chinese lanterns, left over from a long-distant party.
“These will do Mum”.
“Are you sure?”
“Yep! I don’t really like craft projects.” No truer words were ever spoken.
With that sorted, and the rest of the afternoon still before him, he wanders aimlessly about the studio until he notices the last of the Story Starter cards which I have been splitting up for recycling.
“Mum, can we play?” he asks, “Before they’re gone forever.”
I know this is asked mostly for my benefit (we have only played together a few times before), and his words completely erase my disappointment about the whole bike-decorating non-event.
“It’s OK Sweetie,” I reassure him, “We can play any time, I still have my own set.” I go over to my hidden stash and pull out the Kid Stuff pack.
And so we play.
We laugh at his silly made up stories (“That’s a made-up one, Mum!”). We reminisce about holidays and adventures. We share a poignant moment or two, as we discuss how much we miss Grandma and Grandad now they have moved to Queensland, or how we haven’t gotten our chooks yet. We hug. We just talk.
It is the most fun we have had together in ages!
Every week it gets easier to let Leaf go… but occasionally these bittersweet moments still tug at my heartstrings. The thank you email and photos from a “friend of a friend” of her kids with their dirtgirl scrapbooks. The odd mention by a friend about how much her daughter is enjoying her journal. The occasional request for donations to worthy charities.
I know I still have so much left to do… not just for my Munchkin, but loads of other kids (and adults) too.
Maybe our storytelling is just the little kick up the butt I need to make it happen. Not as Leaf, but something here, something new. I need to JUST DO IT! So stay tuned, I suppose…
For my gorgeous storytelling, craft-avoiding Munchkin… Today I am grateful.
Postscript: Unfortunately the Chinese lanterns did not survive the 15 minutes of the Decorated Wheels Parade, and fell apart prior to the judging. Maybe there’s a lesson there too 😉
