Finding Treasures

Out in the desert among the quiet landscape, we find many treasures. Sticks are one of our favorite things to find. They are sculpted by time and the elements. Wood withstands the various temperatures and climate changes…well, as long as one of them is not fire. Even this being said, we have found many bushes, and tree remnants from lightning strikes that are still standing. The joy of a child and the wonderment of this age is endless. We have a book at home called, “Not a Stick,” by Antoinette Portis that illustrates the imagination of a child with a pig as the main character. Our daughter found this book recently and the imagery is very descriptive of what I see when she walks around the desert with her treasures. I look forward to the day when she can tell me what she sees when she walks around with her treasures. Rocks often find a place in her pocket for the majority of our walks. Sticks, they get carried to their next destination until another interesting one is found. Below is a sketch from our experiences on the trails.

The pure joy in her face when she holds one up to show me is priceless. Yelling, “Mama, stick,” with giggles and then laughter. I look for lines and grooves in her finds and she examines the “holes.” We both smile and share moments in time. Each one of us is seeing the world differently and everything gets quiet. Tiny treasures in tiny hands. A few steps are taken and the stick gets placed down gently, then sediments get picked up and run through her fingers. The giggles continue. Then the wobbly toddler run starts as she finds a new treasure. What do you think it was? Yes, you guessed it…a “stick!” Oh the adventures we go on in my mind. I hope you all get a chance to adventure soon. Until then, have a Marvelous Monday and thank you for reading!

-Karen Hilliard

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Thank you again for all of your support!