There are so many ways to hold hands.

Kids in a school yard on a sunny day, holding up their arms in such a way that their shadows are holding hands. Photo care of Lisa Sweetman, with thanks!

A little while ago, Coach Britt texted a photo to the Firefly team and said — this reminds me of us.

It was taken by her friend, Lisa, who is a classroom teacher, and has the tremendous task this year of trying to teach children through social isolation. (Teachers everywhere, I bow.)

Kids know touch. They know play. They need play. They want to tackle and hug and mess up each other’s hair. Holding them back from this primary instinct must be a tremendous task.

But on this day, Lisa and her students were in the school yard, and they realized that if they held their arms up just so, the sun would stream through them and make their shadows hold hands. Like paper dolls. Like they had never let go.

Come on! The metaphoric potential here is out of control!

To me, this is one of the best things that writing with others can do.

It shows us our shadow, and it connects it to others, to a place of belonging, of deep not-aloneness. It lets us connect across space and difference and fear. It reminds us that parts of us never stopped holding hands, never will.

Because, let’s face it, we are still those kids. We still want to tackle and hug and mess up each other’s hair. Especially in winter. Especially this winter.

That is all! I just wanted to offer you that image. Thank you Lisa and her students, for capturing it so perfectly.

Thanks for reading.

I’m wishing you a winter full of new, unexpected ways to find each other.

In it with you,