[childhood]

School zone: 20 mph. I was going at least 40. Red house to the right. Elementary school to the left. Music up, windows down. On my way to work.

But as I passed the school, something caught my attention: a child— probably 6 or 7 frolicking in the grass by the sidewalk and an older woman— probably her grandmother walking slowly behind. She carried the little girl’s backpack. Small though it was; it represented chores, homework, responsibility. But the grandmother held it all for her.

So carry her burdens a little longer and let her run free as a child.