On Friendship

Last Saturday, I had the sweet joy of babysitting a 2 and 3/4 year old gem of a lady. We ventured out to Law Street in Pacific Beach, CA. When is the last time you spent time with a tiny human and playlistened? This is defined as “a particular way of playing with children that can provide great fun and, at the same time, help them resolve some of their hesitancies, fears and worries. It is a child-guided play, in which you take a role that builds [a] child’s confidence and resilience through laughter.” Lately, I have been craving play and what better way to give into this form of free magic than by following a true leader. She showed me the way and in doing so gave me back so much of my innate wisdom. This form of playlistening empowers the tiny human to lead and allows the adult to soften and be guided.

Friendship comes in so many shapes, sizes and forms so long as we are receptive to allowing these relationships to form. In the past few weeks, I have been drawn to the news story of Ellen Degeneres and George W. Bush being shown at a Cowboys game sitting together. There was so much controversy. And I understand it. Somehow divisiveness feels protective and reassuring. I am coming to understand that it’s an illusion. There is something with power at play and I am not sure I have the words for it, yet. My time with the tiny human (dancer) gave me so much appreciation for allowing differences of experience, needs and a desire to connect.

I built a “sand-heart” rather than a sandcastle. When we were getting ready to pack up, she was destroying everything we had built. I had just returned from getting water for us to wash up with and she had paused at the sand-heart. She asked, “Jenn, can I break your heart?” I responded, “Yes, yes, you can break my heart.” Then she said, “Why do hearts break?” I said, “Lots of reasons.” She said, “How do hearts come back together?” I said, “Friendship.”

Let’s re-establish faith through friendship. One friendship at a time.

In safety and connection,

Jenn