Time Off

Three kids having break from school. Two adults, from work. Another one taking a half day leave sandwiched between morning and evening duty. (You knew it was me, didn't you?) How did we make the best out of this normal weekday? The children suggested bike ride.

And they did. It's a beautiful ride, beside and under endless trees, along the coastline of Tolo Harbour with mountain view.

By the time I'd finished work at noon, my daughter and her buddies were drawing and reading next to their bikes. I brought a camera and two story books. What else did we need? Nothing, really. Children simply are magicians who can bring forth a whole treasure trove out of nothing and at their own will. When they came to our home and played, they improvised a rock band, dismantling the bed guard for the guitar, creating their loveliest possible versions of microphone and drum. It's that simple.

"When you love something like reading - or drawing or music or nature," notes Anne Lamott, "it surrounds you with a sense of connection to something great." It makes sense.