13 Comments
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Rob Tourtelot's avatar

Lovely, Anna. We missed the Pokemon era, but I remember having to play endless games of Chutes and Ladders, and I'd be trying to let my daughter win so the game would end, and she'd always hit that chute right near the end that brought her back to the beginning.

This is such beautiful writing: "It was as if I was seeing it all from a distance—the bougainvillea was bright and the houses were pretty and the trees were old and wonderful as always, but I had that sense of removal or dissociation that you feel when you’re looking back."

Sending my best to you and your dad. Hope Pokemon didn't drag on too long!

Anna Schott's avatar

Thanks Rob. My kid wants to go back to learn MTG now instead, thank god. I like MTG but Pokémon...

Andy Carter's avatar

You raise a high parenting bar by attending a Pokemon class! Our boys have been obsessed with the cards for the past 6 months and I still have so little clue what they’re on about.

Hope your dad is doing ok.

Anna Schott's avatar

Thanks Andy. One regrets the raising of the bar. He's had the cards for 2 years and I wish so bad that's where it ended. Brutal. Don't do it.

Sheila (of Ephemera)'s avatar

So much of life is looking back. Savour the memories, and play that Pokemon!

Thank you, Anna!

Anna Schott's avatar

But can I do the savoring without the playing, perhaps?

Sheila (of Ephemera)'s avatar

You do you, and no regrets.🤘

Bob Blaisdell's avatar

A lovely account, Anna.

Anna Schott's avatar

Thanks Bob

Polly Walker Blakemore's avatar

It is so hard sometimes just to be but that is always the best place to be!

Polly Walker Blakemore's avatar

I discovered your writing from Mary G.’s prompt last week. Really enjoying it!

Anna Schott's avatar

oh cool, thanks!