“Growing apart doesn’t change the fact that for a long time we grew side by side; our roots will always be tangled. I’m glad for that.”
― Ally Condie, Matched

We are living in circles, even as the straight line presents itself to us as real.

The beauty of the circle is that we can return home at any point and nothing has ever been lost.

Howdy Doody and Buffalo Bob remain alive, as does the exciting taste of the new (in the 50’s) Snickers Bar!

I feel that empty space in my mouth where the latest tooth had come out and I remember the ritual of tying a string to the doorknob to pull my loose teeth out.

Sally and Lucky, the two dogs next door, still run in the backyard and I am standing at my bedroom window wishing I could stay up late like the family next door.

In bed I would close my eyes and wonder how “this world” had appeared and what it would be like if there was only nothingness.

Watermelon-eating was exciting every single time we cut a melon open. My father always salted his and to this day I remember that sweet fruit tastes better with a sprinkle of salt.

I did not know sorrow when I was growing up. The world was what it was and I was taken care of and felt secure, even as we practiced diving under our desks should the bomb be dropped.

The Korean War was on and the man across the street was stationed overseas and my mother was close friends with his wife, Molly. She was Scotch and had a little dachsund. We went to his birthday party and I sat at the piano and sang while Molly played “Mockingbird Hill.”

Good times, not gone, but gently resurrected. Everything still has vitality that is recycled into my heart when I take time to reflect on my life. I am still that child and I can enter the secret garden, the door opening at my command.

Vicki Woodyard