Finders Keepers

As a child, I kept my eyes trained on the ground. I was looking for things of interest to collect and save. Over the years I found: a 1976 silver dollar, several wads of money, nails, toys, sticks that doubled as firearms, and a large collection of construction site detritus.

When I walk every evening, I have to fight the urge to slow way down and stare longingly at the ground for would-be treasures. I don't need to be hauling rocks and pinecones home with me...what the heck would I do with them? And yet, every acorn I pass begs to be picked up and studied. I want to hold a dozen of them in my hands and run my fingers over their smooth skin. I want to unscrew each little beret. I want to line them up like little men on my windowsill. But, I am the adult now.

Within the next year or two, Elena will be bringing me her finds. I will welcome them with open arms. We will sit down with our little acorn people and play. We will start a penny collection with our found coins. We will dip pinecones into wax to hang on our Christmas tree. We will do rubbings of leaves. We will pick especially smooth stones for a rock collection. Until then, I will keep my eyes turned up to the sky on my walks. I will stare past the clouds and on to heaven. I will thank God over and over again for making me a mommy.