I grew up in a big family that enjoyed spending a ridiculous amount of time outdoors. We were five girls, all in a row, then one boy at the tail end. We lived in small-town Illinois and were allowed to freely explore the fringes of the woods and fields that surrounded our square-block neighborhood (the freedom of the 60’s!), so my world felt vast and open, especially under the broad midwestern skies.
There was fort-building, “crick” jumping, salamander and garter snake catching. We rode our bikes around the block and roller-skated down the sidewalk, metal wheels clanking.
I do have fond memories of all that outdoorsy fun, but more often than not you could find me hiding behind a living room chair with a Wizard of Oz book and a stolen sandwich cookie. Or preferably not find me and leave me to my fantasy world.
Given my druthers, I’d often choose my books or my dollhouse over running through the woods. As I grew, I resisted joining sports teams and instead spent time in more solitary pursuits.
So yeah, I’d hide from family football games and be the one slipping and getting my sneakers wet jumping the creek. But my how things have changed!
Now I’m a 60 year old yoga teacher. Two of my sisters and my mom are regulars in my yoga classes, and we often marvel that I, the least athletic of all the kids, am at the head of the class as teacher, leading my former gymnastics-club-member sisters to fitness.
I still hide to read my books, though - some habits die hard.
Follow along for a glimpse into the teenaged me! See Episodes 2 & 3!!
