Fortune Tellers

Written September 8, 2021

Fortune tellers have changed considerably from when I was a kid, but really, what hasn’t?

In June H and her friends discovered the joys of creating and playing with these future truth tellers. She asked me if I wanted to play and I couldn’t wait to find out where my future mansion would be, where I would live with my partner and 10,000 kids. We had a good time entertaining the possibilities.

Then one day I walked by the table and saw this and it was one of those parenting moments when your heart splits into a million little pieces, as you realize your children’s innocence is being chipped away by the realities of the world.

Now we’re on the cusp of a new school year, and I wonder what fortune tellers will look like as my kids enter their third school year in a pandemic. It’s challenging to remember what school was like before this time. And yet, my kids hold on to the optimism that people will continue to mask up, that those who can will get their shots, that people will make good choices and will be kind. I hope I can hold on to their optimism as well.

I also hope to hold onto my sanity as Monday is still a long way off and we will be making many fortune tellers to fill the void before this new school year begins. Here’s to hope, that massive mansion and being in community with old and new friends again soon.