The flashing light signaled 6am on his alarm clock. His son, Ethan, was already awake and reading a book about parrots from Guatemala (or some far away place on the globe). Ethan wasn’t like most kids. On a scale of uniqueness, Ethan was a snowflake – definitely one of a kind.

“Good morning,” he whispered to his little book worm so that he wouldn’t wake up Ethan’s younger brother. But as he walked past Ethan’s doorway, he felt a searing pain in his foot. “Son of a….TREE!!” he yelled. He had the misfortune of stepping on a pawn from Ethan’s chess game. And with that, Charlie was awake and whining that he was hungry.

He glanced out the window at the old field maple. It looked so peaceful, so noble and strong in the early morning light. He tried to channel that energy as he carried on into the kitchen, Charlie in tow, making his breakfast demands as he shuffled his tiny feet. Another morning…

Lucky Dip – Saturday Mix, 4 February, 2023