Dinosaurs & Pirate Ships

In the woods, fallen trees wrapped in moss, lichen, mushrooms and loose bark turn into dinosaur bones and sunken pirate ships. We, the explorers, look for treasure and hide it in our jacket pockets. We find gems, swords, magic wands, and jewelry. We find leg bones and neck bones and tails. We find herbivores and tyrannosauruses. We are trailblazers too, romping and climbing.

Inside, we are comfortable and content, but outside, beneath the trees, we are free. With fewer expectations, little to no toys, no sweets, no screens, no ceilings, we breathe more easily.

Often on our outings, she asks me, When will the sickness be over?

It might be a while. I tell her.

There may be many more months of this isolation. Therefore, I am joining my young daughter in her imagination.

With stone compasses, stick swords, and piles of pinecone gems, we will be paleontologists and explorers, and whatever else she decides.